Clinton Herald Wednesday
October 15, 1952 p. 12 posted with permission Ancient City Hall May Lose Its ‘Decorative But Dangerous’
Attic Clinton’s 60-year-old City Hall may be operated on to remove a sick third floor.
Mayor Don R. Allison remarked at last night’s city council session that “the northeast corner of the building
is about ready to fall down into the alley.” He noted that if something isn’t done about the ‘fancy piece
of gingerbread roof which has the “leaners” through decay and a faulty water run-off system, “we’ll
be doing buisness in the street.” The city head pointed out that the building, erected as a school
in 1890 and occupied by the city since 1936, has a 500-person-capacity third floor auditorium which has seen duty in recent
times only as a wintertime pistol range for the police department. And now even the range is considered
unsatisfactory, he added. The mayor said an extensive study by city officials has indicated that the best
course, rather than to try another repair job similar to the one performed several years ago, it to rip off the third floor
and “decorative but dangerous” roof, with the present second floor ceiling to serve as the roof. The
price might be very reasonable, he indicated, because the considerable amound of lumber in the roof (“a carload or better”)
has some salvage value. And insurance rates would be less. James F. Tallett, assistant
city engineer advising the council during the current vacation of City Engineer Benton R. Anderson, agreed that the uppere
story was little more than “a good chicken coop.” Fire Chief Harlod Nelson seconded the motion.
He said the third floor is a fire trap where “something is likely to happen,” while the rest of the structure
is good, with 12 to 16 inch walls. The issue was turned over to the police and public grounds committee
and the city engineer’s office for further study.

The Clinton Herald
Tuesday November 19, 1935 p. 5 posted with permission Public Stadium To Be Constructed in River Front
Park. $69,000 Project to Be Carried On With WPA Funds – Expect Work to Start Later Part of This Week
– 70 Men to Be Given Jobs. Fulfilling a dream of many civic-minded Clintonians, a new public stadium and recreation
area will be constructed at River Front park as a WPA project, funds for which were allocated today. The total estimated cost of the project is
$69,004, and funds totaling $19,510 are immediately available so that work probably will get under way the latter part of
this week. The stadium will be located near Sixth avenue, North, approximately at the same site as the
present wooden bleachers and baseball field. In connection with the stadium a large athletic area will be arranged so that baseball and football games, boxing
matches and outdoor pageants and entertainments can be held. It is estimated that the stadium will accommodate
about 3,500 persons when completed. Allocation of the necessary funds to erect this much-needed grandstand comes only after months of work on the part
of local civic organizations and especially Peter Matzen, county relief administrator. Mr. Matzen first
conceived the idea of a stadium for this city and it was largely due to his efforts that a city’s dream soon will become
a reality. It
also is understood that Congressman B.M. Jacobsen exerted his influence with those who put the stamp of approval on WPA jobs. The grandstand will be constructed
of reinforced concrete and will be complete with all appurtenances. The inside dimensions of the stadium,
or the face, will be 330 feet and the outside will measure 396 feet from end to end. The grandstand will
be 41 feet deep and there will be 18 rows of wooden seats. Six entrances will be built to accommodate the crowds and avoid congestion. The project calls for 750 man-months
of labor which will mean the employment of about 70 men for a year, the time it is estimated will be needed for the completion
of the job. The
federal government will provide $40,925 for labor. Common laborers will receive $25,440 of this sum, and
skilled laborers the remainder. Materials for the recreation area will cost the government $25,425.
Equipment expense and other incidentals will bring the total expenditure to $69,004. This new project is sponsored
locally by the Clinton park board. Begun
November 29, 1935 Completed
May 1, 1937
The Clinton Herald Thursday
April 11, 1935 p. 5 posted with permission Time again is demanding its price with the result that two
more old landmarks of the city of Clinton are being razed. Two old homes, the former C.C. Coan home on
the corner of Seventh avenue, South and Fourth street, and the old W.J. Young, Sr., home on Seventh avenue, and First street,
heve fallen victims to the crowbars of Antone Miller’s wrecking crew. Both of these structures were
erected back in the latter half of the last century and if they could tell their story before they become history they would
probably relate interesting tales of the city’s early days. Despite its extreme age the old Young
home has been occupied until recently. The old Coan home has been vacent more than 10 years. While mischievous
youngsters have raised havoc with the windows and exterior of the former Coan residence, the splendor of a by-gone era of
construction is revealed in the interior. Nearly every room boasts a fireplace and there is an abundance
of scroll work. Unlike those found in the present day, the windows are the type which run from the floor
to the ceiling. But Clinton must march on and the old is forced to make way for the new.
Monday June 15, 1931 posted with permission Howes Block To Get $7500 Elevator Unit Installation
Will Begin July 19; Old System In Use 31 Years. Than a more expeditious service may be provided
tenants and patrons of the building is advanced as the reason for a new elevator system to be installed in the Howes Block
according to information obtained from E.N. Howes, owner of the building today. The project when completed
will cost approximately $7500, it was learned. Installation is expected to begin not later
than July 19 it was stated in a letter just issued to all tenants informing them of the improvement. A.H.
Morrell, Clinton architect, is completing plan drawings and will supervise the removal of the present system and istallation
of the new unit. Obtain Modern Layout Mr. Howes and son L.M.
Howes have spent several weeks in visiting numerous office structures in middle western cities observing elevatored systems
and attempting to find one best suited to the needs of the Howes Block. An Otis traction passenger elevator
was finally settled upon, one that is lauded by building engineers as the most modern in design and offering the safety system
of elevation yet developed. The new unit Mr. Morrell explained will travel at the rate of
200 feet per minute. It will have a capacity of 2,000 pounds. Self closing doors will
be arranged on each floor landing and every measure of safety has been regarded for occupants. The car
itself is finished in brilliant colors and the finest metal effects. To Build Pent House It will be necessary to excavate for a large clearance space in the basement preparatory to installation, it was
learned. Additional steel frame work will be built in, while a pent house, 10’x15’ must necessarily
be constructed on the roof of the building to house the operating machinery. A crew of
men will be employed previous to the temporary closing of elevator service in order to have formative details completed.
This will eliminate undue delay and replace elevator service in the shortest time. It is possible
day and night shifts will be used on this job. In Use 31 Years The elevator now in use was installed with the opening of the Howes block in October 1900. The
original structure was at that time three stories, the fourth floor added in 1906. Two tenants, Dr. Herbert
Sugg and D.H. Shepard have occupied office space since the building opened. Several other have rental receipts
dating back to 15, 18 and 20 uninterrupted years. There is at present more than 30 tenants in
the building including three retail tenants on the main floor. Commenting on the improvement Mr. Howes said,
“while the old elevator has perhaps, seen its day of service, it has by no means proven unsatisfactory or hazzardous.
Because of so many professional persons housed in the building who attract great numbers of patrons, we decided to
change to a more modern evevator system. Other alterations may be made on the building during the summer
months.
The Clinton Herald
Monday December 8, 1930 p. 8 posted with permission RAZING OF OLD TOLL BUILDING TO START SOON New Two – Story Structure Expected to Be Completed in May. Razing of the old Toll block on the southwest corrner of Fifth avenue and South
Second street is expected to begin late this week in order to make way for a new and modern two-story store bulding. The new building, which will
be trimmed in Bedford stone, is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy early next May. Daniel Haring, local contractor is in Chicago
today conferring with architects who have drawn plans for the new building and it is expected he will be awarded the contract. If Mr. Haring is the successful
bidder, work of razing the old business landmark will begin as quickly as he returns. It is understood a subsidiary of a large Chicago mercantile
firm is negotiating for a large section of floor space in the new building and it is probable that a lease will be signed
today or tomorrow, in Chicago. STORES AND OFFICES The lower floor of the new structure will be solely for store purposes. The upper floors will
be arranged for office space. The entire Fifth avenue frontage of the old building totaling 125 feet, will be razed and seventy-five of the 140
feet on South Second Street. The remainder of the building now occupied by Martin Morris & Co. and
George D. Reynolds will be undisturbed until 1934 when leases will expire. At that time the rest of the
building will be torn down and an additon built to conform with that section to be completed in May. About twenty men will obtain employment in
the wrecking of the old building. Additional workmen will be added when actual building operations are
begun, it was stated today. BUILT IN 1864 The Toll block was built in 1864-65 by Major Charles H. Toll on his return from service in the Civil war.
Originally the two upper floors were for public gatherings and were termed Spencer hall and Crandall hall, named after
themajor’s sons. These were the scenes of many olden time social and charitable events such as fairs, dances and other entertainments
of the period. Business
eventually encroached upon the social domain. The halls were taken over and transformed for mercantile
purpose. In 1869
the Fifth avenue frontage was increased by purchase of the Stratton building. Amont the early tenants were Stone & Smith, bankers; Ewing & Ewing, grocers;
C.S. Taylor, bookstore; and in 1866 and 1867 the postoffice had modest quarters there. The Howes jewelry
store occupied the corner store until the space was taken over by Towle & Mayer, successor to Towle and Spreter, one of
the pioneer dry goods stores of the city. Towle and Mayer was succeded by Towle & Hypes which went out of business early this year. For half a century Mike Kleinschmidt was and
still is janitor of the old Toll building and will sadly relinquish his keys, brooms and shovels when the wreckers start their
work. The property
is owned by the Ankeny Company, Chicago.
The Clinton Herald Saturday December 13, 1930 p. 5 posted with permission
CONTRACT LET FOR DOWNTOWN STORE BUILDING Daniel Haring Company Gets $100,000 Toll Block Job Contract for destruction of
the Toll block, South Second street and Fifth avenue, South, and for erection of a new building, was let
today by Ankeny company, Chicago, to the Daniel Haring company, general contractors, 122 Fifth avenue, South. The contract is for approximately
$100,000. Work
on demolition of the present structure, one of the oldest in Clinton, will begin Monday, and be finished by Jan. 1.
The contract calls for completion of the new building by May 1. Changes in the plans announced today call for a steel terra cotta tile frontage
instead of the Bedford stone originally planned. The store fronts will be of drawn bronze. The structure will be two stories
high, the ground floor being for five stores and the upper for fifteen offices. The entire frontage on
Fifth avenue will come down at once, as will the side on Second street as far as Reynolds’ cigar store. From there south the building
will stand four more years, until leases expire, when an addition will be built to conform in appearance to the new building. The corner space will be occupied
by a branch of a chain department store. The
Clinton Herald Monday December 15, 1930 p. 16 posted with permission WORKMEN BEGIN DESTRUCTION OF OLD TOLL BLOCK Work of demolishing the Toll block, landmark at South
Second street and Fifth avenue, South, in the heart of Clinton’s business district, began today. Thirty-five men were employed at the start
by the Daniel Haring compnay, contractor, which Saturday was awarded the $100,000 job of tearing down the structure and building
a new one of terra cotta. Many men were waiting when the company’s offices in Fifth avenue opened this morning. About
sixty ultimately will be used on the destruction job, which will be finished by Jan. 1. Contract calls
for completion of the new building by May 1. First work was directed against the window glass. Through the upper windows in years agone peered
many merrymakers, when the second floor was divided into two halls, secenes of numerous dances, fairs and carnivals.
Later the halls were cut up into office rooms. Removal is under way of the industrial exhibits of stores, which have filled the floor window spaces where the Towle-Hypes
department store used to be, and before the end of the week the historic old building will be a veritable ghost of its former
self. The Clinton Herald Tuesday
December 30, 1930 p. 5 posted with permission SIC TRANSIT GLORIA LOOMS LARGE AS BUILDING FALLS “Sic transit gloria!” So passes glory! If you don’t believe it, look on the wall back of where part of the Toll
block is being torn down. There in large red letters it says: P.S. Towle & Co., 1866 Towle & Spreter, 1880 Towle & Meyer, 1912 Towle & Hypes, 1917 Sic Transit Gloria Henry Towle’s – the author –
He admitted it today, after hundreds had stood and gazed at the inscription high up on the old wall, as revealed by the work
of the razers. There
is nothing antique about the lettering, however, and nothing mystic. Towle painted the words about a year
ago at one end of the large upstairs rooms. O.H. Godskesen, among today’s spectators of the ruins said: “That was the dancehall of the old Sheridan club. I went
to dances there with my mother. And before the Sheridan club had the hall it was used by the still older Four Leaf Clover club. Ask
Gus Brumer, Sr. He knows. Mr. Brumer and associates constituted the Four Leaf corganization
that held dances in the hall. Those were the days of “After the Ball” written by Charles K. Harris, who died a few days ago; of “Sweet
Marie” and “My Sweetheart’s the Man in the Moon.” They were the days of the dreamy
waltz when “Home Sweet Home” was the closing number. “Sic transit gloria.” Sic transit the Sheridan and
Four Leaf clubs. Just as the Toll block is sic transitting.
The Clinton Herald Tuesday, January 6, 1931 p. 5 posted with permission
”ARE WE SO SOON FORGOT?”
– Rip Van Winkle The Erstwhile Toll Block Not
just like the one-hoss shay, which went to pieces all at once, but nevertheless, very rapidly, the Toll block, Fifth avenue,
South, and Second stree, has come down. Today but a section remains, on Second street and the void on the
corner is viewed by hundreds daily, as work of excavation for the new two-story building goes on. Particularly
are the old-timers interested in watching the work which has been carried on with great precision by the Daniel Haring company.
Day by day all debris was removed as the walls came down, until no vestage was left when diggers were ready to start.
Over
the space where the workmen are busy, the Spirit of Yesteryear paints a picture of the old Toll block that was. “Are we so soon forgot?”
asked the immortal Rip Van Winkle when he realized that nobody knew him in the town he left, twenty years before.
And, he declared, arising from his long sleep, “Every time I move a new way it hurts.” In a sense, it has hurt Clinton pioneers every
time the Toll block received a new blow. In the accompaning picture – the one the Spirit of Yesteryear
portrays – the older residents see, on the Fifth avenue side where Howes’ jewelry store used to be.
They see on the Second street side where Towle’s store once was. They note the two entrances,
one on each thoroughfare – entrances that led to those upper floors where, in addition to doctors’ and lawyers’
offices, there were those two old dance halls. “My husband proposed to me in one of those halls,” confessed a Clinton matron, today. (If
we could only print her name!) She continued: “I went to a Sheridan club dance with him and danced several times with another
young man. Finally my escort said: “I don’t want you to dance any more tonight with that fellow.’ ‘Why?’ I asked.
‘Because,’ he replied, ‘I don’t want the GIRL I AM GOING TO MARRY to dance so many times with
anybody else!’ “That
was the first time I knew I was the girl he was going to marry – but it turned out that I was.” The elders in Clinton, looking on the picture
of the past and recalling the Sheridan club, Four Leaf club and other dancing institutions, also recall “Sweet Marie,”
to which they waltzed when there was no such thing as a tango, a turkey trot or a Charleston, let alone a bunny hug.
They recall sitting in those upper windows and humming with the orchestras: “My sweetheart’s the man in the moon.
I’m
going to marry him soon: And behind some dark cloud, where no one’s allowed, I will live with my man in the moon.” A splendid new edifice is to rise at Second and Fifth,
being completed by May. – And the old block will be still more of a memory. Yes, we are so soon forgot. (with photo)
The Clinton Herald
Thursday, January 8, 1931 p. 5 posted with permission
LOCAL FIRMS GET CONTRACTS FOR WORK ON TOLL BLOCK; MORE EMPLOYMENT NEARS Daniel Haring Company Will
Have All Sub-Work Don by Clinton Institutions – Steel Stack Already Erected – Terra Cotta Coming From Chicago
– More Yesteryear Facts Brought to Light. Increased employment was forecast in Clinton today by announcement of the Daniel Haring
company, contractors for the new Toll block. The company announced letting of sub-contracts, all to Clinton firms, and coupled
the announcement with the statement that all work on the new two-story block at Second street and Fifth Avenue, South, will
be done by Clinton people. The following contracts were made public. E.N. Woodbury Company – Plumbing. Rockwood & Rohwer –
Electric wiring and fixtures. Clinton Bridge Works – Steel fabrication. The Cullen company of Clinton already has erected a steel stack, connected with
the boiler, to take the place of the old brick stack. This is for continued heating of the portion of the
old Toll block in Second street that will not be demolished for four years, until leases shall have expired. More Clinton employment will
be furnished in the setting of the terra cotta. The latter will be produced at Chicago but the Haring company
says the work on it here will be by local bicklayers. Citizens pausing to watch the excavating on the downtown corner continue to vie with each other in reminiscences
of the past in connection with the structure now razed. They ask each other “Did you know”- That for years the Knights
of Pythisas met on the top floor? That Lillian Russell (born in Clinton) gave a party there to the younger set when she was 18? That there are several sidewalks, one atop
the other on Second street in front of where the block was, they having been built to meet a sagging ground? That one year skiffs came up
Fifth avenue to Second street, when high waters flooded cellars? That once there were two iron steps used to get down into the old main floor? That a second main floor was
laid-over the original to bring it even with the brick paving laid there during Mayor Chase’s administration? That the Wapsie club for years
had its quarters in the block? That the Masons occupied two south rooms on the third floor? That the top floor was once an armory for the old Company E, Iowa national guard?
The Clinton Herald Thursday
May 21, 1931 p. 11 posted with permission
MARVIN B. POOL TO ATTEND BURR STORE OPENING Remember ‘way bank when “Pool’s China Palace” was one of T-H-E stores of Clinton and women
would drive in from miles around to shop for their novelties and needs there. Old-timers who recallthe once-so-well-known “China Palace” will be
interested to know that the former owner, Marvin B. Pool, is expected here tomorrow to inspect the opening of the new L.C.
Burr store at 207 Fifth avenue, South, and also to renew acquaintances in this city. The old “China
Palace” was located directly across the street from the new Burr store. Because Clinton is his “hometown” and it was here that he received
his early business experience, Marvin Pool takes more personal pride and interest in the Clinton store than in any other in
the Burr group. Despite his years of absence from this city, Mr. Pool is still well known here. When in business here, Marvin
Pool, not only owned the “China Palace,” but also a wholesale business and distributing house. His
father, G.M. Pool, owned and operated the first five and ten cent store in Clinton. Since leaving Clinton in 1900, Mr. Pool’s rise in
the business world has been both rapid and successful. His home is now in Chicago, and he holds the position
of managing director of the Chicago house of Butler Brothers, nation-wide wholesale concern, of which L.C. Burr & Co.
is a subsidiary.
Jane Lamb Hospital
Contract Awarded To Haring Brothers Memorial Hospital, Gift of Mrs. Emma Young, Will Be Started At Once. Architects Engaged Expert Hospital Designers Are Engaged – Haring Brothers of Clinton Are Awarded
Contract By Board of Trustees – Expect Work to Go Forward Rapidly For Putting New Institution Under Cover Before Winter. The new Jane Lamb hospital
will be under cover by the time snow flies, according to plans which are progressing rapidly as announced by E.M. Howes, president
of the board of trustees, following a meeting of the board Wednesday. Haring Brothers have been awarded the contract, the work to begin as soon as necessary
changes are made. Excavating has been started, in fact is nearly done, and has been for some time, but
one delay after another incidental to getting prices and material, kept the building back. Mrs. Emma Lamb Young made possible the rebuilding
of the hospital, giving as the original gift $200,000, in memory of her mother, Jane Lamb, for whom the hospital known as
Agatha was renamed Jane Lamb Memorial hospital. The new buidling will double the capacity of the institution, the present building to be connected with the new,
which will be brought to the street level and which will have a Bluff boulevard entrance and driveways. Schmidt-Gardner
and Martin of Chicago, experts in hospital planning, have been engaged as architects. They are expected
in Clinton within a week or ten days to begin work. July
28, 1925 New Property Added To Jane Lamb Hospital President E.M. Howes of the Jane Lamb Memorial hospital board, today announced the acquisition
by the hospital of the property known as the Paddock property, comprising about five acres in extent and adjoining the land
previously owned by the hospital extending northeastward along Bluff boulevard to the estate of C.A. Armstrong.
Mr.
Howes, in discussing the addition with a representative of The Herald today, said that the acquisition was in line with the
policy of the board in providing for the future and that while no definite plans are ready for announcement at this time,
ultimately the newly acquired property may be utilized for additional buildings in the hospital group, additions which will
undoubtedly be necessary within the next five or ten years as the hospital even with its recently enlarged quarters has already
been taxed in capacity on more than one occasion. For the present, Mr. Howes said that the property will be cared for as a park and it is expected that it will make
a splendid addition to the older hospital grounds. A section of land, adjoining Bluff boulevard, will probably
be prepared as a parking space for automobiles , thus relieving the congestion that has been evident at times in front of
the hospital due to the numerous parked cars of the physicians and visitors.
The Clinton Advertiser Tuesday
January 27, 1920 p. 3 Clinton
To Vote On Park Bonds The
voters of this city will decide on February 23, whether or not Clinton’s park system – now in its embryo –
is to be developed during the coming years, to keep pace with the park systems in other growing cities of the Middle West,
and to provide adequate public recreation grounds for the public of today and the coming generation. No other city, perhaps, is
so favored by opportunity to work out a beautiful park system, as is Clinton today. This is particularly
true of her water front, where has already been constructed the nucleus of a future magnificent River Front park which will
far exceed in beauty that of any other municipality along the great stream. Thus the question which comes before the voters next month is highly important.
Is the city to take advantage of her opportunities, and make possible, and even certain, the development of her public
park system. S.D.
Robb, a member of the park commission, briefly discussed the question today with an ADVERTISER representative.
Mr. Robb has served ten years on the park board, and has devoted much time and energy to the working out of many park
problems. To the reporter he stated that as yet nothing but general plans had been thought of in this future
park development, and in discussing the proposition, he said he was talking merely as a citizen, and not expressing the official
intentions of the board. These general plans include first, a driveway up the river bank from Sixth avenue, through the present completed
parks, and the outer edge of Joyce’s island; thence west about where Parket street terminates. A driveway is discussed north from the vicinity
of the Lyons bridge to Sixth avenue in Lyons, over to Fourth street, and south to Main. Mr. Robb believes a very useful institution, a general
civic center, may be worked out, in general park plans, in the large tract of property along the river front between the completed
park, which extends to First avenue, and the vicinity of the gas works. This track of park ground contains
four full city blocks. He said he would like to see this tract devoted to civic purposes, a pavilion erected, rest rooms, and lavatories
provided for the home people and visitors in the city. Here meetings and gatherings of a civic nature might
be held, and a place furnished for circuses to erect their tents. In many ways, according to Mr. Robb,
this could be made self-sustaining. He thinks an enclosed athletic field might be arranged for, which would
add to the revenues. This proposition, it is understood, is being given careful consideration by the board. This stretch of ground still
requires a considerable amount of filling and rip-rapping must be installed north of First Avenue, to which point the present
park and retaining wall extends. Lagoons might easily be constructed Mr. Robb says in the proposed new park extension north of First avenue, and a
most attractive general park plan worked out without great expense. Little filling will be required north of Elm street. The entire river front from Sixth avenue north
to Park street, in Lyons, now is city park property, affording a splendid opportunity for the development of this attractive
system. The same is true of Joyce’s island, which may be most advantageously devoted to park purposes. Mr. Robb expressed the desire
to see established a number of small parks or public “breathing places” throughout the city. One
of these should be established in Chancy, he said, one in the Fourth ward, another in the west end of the city, and one pr
two in Lyons, and in other parts of the municipality. His idea is to give all the people an opportunity
to enjoy a little fresh air and sunshine in a public park, without forcing them to take long walks or rides to the recreation
grounds. Eventually,
Mr. Robb said, Clinton’s boulevard system will be worked out. Just now there are no general plans
for this branch of the work although a loop around the river front and the bluffs at the west side of Clinton is favored by
many. The new
Iowa park law gives the park board, upon ratification by the electors of a municipality, to levy a tax not to exceed five
mills in any one year, for park extension and improvement. In Mr. Robb’s opinion, should the people vote in favor of this levy, it would
not be necessary to levy more than two mills, and possibly not more than one mill or even a half mill during the first ten
years for park improvement. Afterwards, as the bonds become due, in perhaps 15 years, this levy would be
increased for the purpose of retiring the bonds. The people of the future generations thus under this system,
would largely aid in paying for the park improvements which will be inaugurated immediately, and which we as well as they
will enjoy. The Clinton Advertiser
Tuesday February 24, 1920 PARK BONDS ARE BEATEN BY MAJORITY OF 40 VOTES Clinton’s proposed park extension plan was defeated at the polls yesterday by a slender
margin. Returns to the ADVERTISER office last night indicated that eh majority against park bonds was 40
votes, with nearly 2,800 Clinton men and women voting. The women voted two to one in favor of the bonds.
The men rolled up a majority of 274 agsinst the proposition. The table here appended shows just how every precinct in the city voted on the
park question.
The Clinton Herald Wednesday August 1, 1917 p. 8 posted with permission Clinton is quietly
celebrating its 62nd birthday today. About the only man left to have a party is W.B. Peck, 78
years old, who directed the attention of a Clinton Herald reporter to the impartant date in history, this morning, and recalled
with great interest the pioneer days of the city. “Why there weren’t as many people in the
whole state of Iowa then as there are in Clinton now,” Mr. Peck said with pride, as he reviewed the day 62 years ago
when he helped lay the cornerstone of the Iowa Central house, the first building to be erected in Clinton, on the site where
the Coliseum now stands. “Were there no houses here at all, and how near was the first farm house?”
was asked. “Oh yes, a little log house where Lillian Russell was born stood here and there, but they
were far apart,” he answered as he related little stories of the pioneer days when Clinton was started before Iowa was
a state.
Committee Sees Mr
Moeszinger The Clinton Herald Friday July 3 1914 p 1 posted with permission The question of who will be Clinton’s next mayor
to succed the late William B. Farver, whose funeral was held Friday afternoon, appears to be more muddled than ever today.
Friends of Councilman George Tucker are claiming that he is assured five votes, enough to elect him, when the city
council meets next Tuesday evening, at which time the successor to Mayor Farver will probably be named. It is reported that a committee of three councilmen
called on L.C. Moeszinger and informed him that he could secure the appointment if he would accept. Mr.
Moeszinger however, if is understood informed the committee that owing to numerous other duties and business connections,
he could not accept and do justice to all of his interests. Another committee, it is reported waited on ex-Mayor E.M. Howes, asking him whether
or not he would accept if named. Prior to the municipal primary this year, Mr. Howes issued a statement
in which he said that owing to a prospective busy year or two in his private business interests he could not be a candidate
for nomination for re-election. It is understood, however, that his business affairs have so shaped themselves
that he would be able to accept the appointment. The council, it is said, is opposed to calling an advisory election by the people, the only arguement in its favor
being that the council might appoint some one who could not be elected by a vote of the people. Some of
the councilmen claim that if the name of any man, whom they believe could not secure the support of the citizens is proposed
with a chance for the appointment, they will demand an advisory election.
New Residences Being Built The Clinton Herald Tuesday June 23 1914 p 5 posted with permission That Clinton is experiencing a steady growth is demonstrated best of all by the continuous erection of new dwellings
for business and professional men, all homes of the newest and most desirable types of architecture, calculated to definitely
increase the value of residence property in the portion of the city in which they may be located. Among the brand new residences in the west portion of the city are those for E.A. Thomas, M. McMulln, H.C. Moffett,
L.P. Saenger, M.H. Thielen, Milo Gabriel and A.H. Kersting. Thomas Crawford is having erected a red brick
residence next west of the Dr. White home, and Dr. Fairchild has had the Thomas residence remodeled to suit his needs.
Aurelius Root is having the old Ellis property in Sixth avenue practically rebuilt. K.D. Slocum
had erected two cottages for rental purposes and proposes two similar ones in the future, those on Park Place, corner Ash
street. E.C.H. Moeszinger is having built a frame house, 28x32, modern plumbing and heating and hard wood
finish at the corner of Exchange and Fifth street. L.P. Saenger is his own architect for the attractive
home of white stucco, nearing completion in Fifth avenue nearly to the Bluff road. Other details learned
concerning homes are indicative of the trend of the building activities. The A.H. Kersting
residence is 60x34, three stories and basement, and to be veneered brick and stucco. All hardwood finish
with tile floors will complete this residence. The Milo Gabriel home is to be stucco, 35x32, finish in
hard wood with modern plumbing and heating. The residence planned for M.H. Thielen will be of brick veneer
and stucco and timber work. Clare LeProvost is having a frame dwelling 26x30 with hard wood finish and
modern heating and plumbing. John Morrell & Sons are architects for Clinton Realty company’s
block in Second street south of Fifth avenue, actual work now on preparing the site and for the Clinton Coliseum building
nearing completion. John D. Van Allen & Son plan to move into their new block beginning about
the middle of July. As soon as the Van Allen stock is out of the Howes building, the work of remodeling
the first and second floors to suit tenants will be begun. Other remodeling work in business enterprises
includes the rebuilding of one of the Wilson buildings in Fifth avenue and the addition to the Iten factory. All
the above work is being done through plans made principally in the offices of John Morrell & Sons, Ladefhoff or Work architects,
or through plans made by owners themselves and worked out through the various contractors of the city. Other homes being built are for Peter Golden in Third street, S.C. Hoyne in Summit avenue, Mrs. Peter Murphy, Tenth
avenue and Fifth street, L. Petersen, Hickory street, Philip Holm, First avenue and Jurgen Franzen, Hickory street.
A new store is being built for A.G. Claussen, the builders having these improvements in hand including John Logan,
Jens Peterson and Ed Krieger. Work in which the entire city is interested in the finishing of the Franklin school and isolation hospital, both
to be completed before the end of the summer. The Clinton Herald Wednesday August 12, 1914
p. 10 posted with permission In a quiet way Clinton is now experiencing an unusual building acitivity
and many are fine new homes being erected and important improvements being made on those already constructed.
The building is not confined to any certain locality or localities but the whole city is being dotted with beautiful
new bungalows, cottages and other homes. Among the new homes in progress of erection or recently completed
are the following: Gus Brumer, corner of Sixth street and Fourth avenue; C.D. Nicholsen at 222 Grand avenue; Ed Lingard, at
315 Parker street; King Slosum, two at 702 and 704 Park place and one on Ash street; David Ziegenfus, 1215 Ringwood place;
Nissen Work, jr., at 334 Hickory street; Lulius Lorenzen at 415 DeWitt street; Philip Holm two on First avenue; Charley Hansen
at Fayette street and First avenue; W.W. Leslie, two west of Ninth street; L.P. Saenger at 1000 Fifth avenue; M.H. Thielen
at Sixth avenue and Argyle Court; Dr. H.C. Moffett at 518 Argyle Court; John Petersen
in Mariposa Park; A.H. Kersting at 802 Fifth avenue; Milo Gabriel at 806 Fifth avenue; Claude Ramsey at 817 Fourth avenue;
Geo. Wright at 809 South Eighth street; John Ash at 717 South Sixth street: Mrs. Peter Murphy in Fifth street south of Tenth
avenue; Claus Graves at 914 Olney avenue; Chris Whalen at 825 Stockholm avenue. Other new homes are located
at 889 Summit avenue, 338 Hickory street, and also two in Summit between Eighth and Ninth streets. Old
houses that have been moved and remodeled are by the following; Ed Lorenzen at 226 Hickory street; Jens Peterson, four houses
at First avenue and Sixth Street. Various other homes are being remodeled and improved as follows: Lawrence
Petersen at 334 Hiskory street; R.E. Walters at 925 Summit street; Bert Gundelfinger and Oliver Haring, two in Seventh street
between Second and Third avenue; August Schnell at 915 North Second street; H.B. Grossman at 306 North Fifth street.
False Front of Van Allen
Building Down The Clinton Herald Friday May 15 1914 p 8 Van Allen Store On Old Corner The Clinton Herald July 30 1914 p 5 posted with permission J.D. Van Allen & Son and their clerks
are home again – back on the old corner, northwest corner of Fifth avenue and Second street, where the firm was long
in business. There were greeting old friends and patrons, however, in a brand new building, the most modern
structure of its kind in the city. Removal of the stock from temporary quarters in the Howes block, occupied while the new building was under construction,
was completed through night work Wednesday. In fact the removal process has been under way for days and
days and nights and nights. Not all of the fixtures have been transferred, but they will be in the course
of a few days. Everything
in the new store is in as ship-shape as possible, enough so that it is possible to transact business, but the formal opening
will not take place until later when everything has been put in its place and the store is in the spick and span condition
that it is the intention to maintain. Many old friends called Thursday to admire the handsome new home of the dry goods firm. The erection
of the modern four story building has been under way for fifteen months, ground being broken in May, 1913. For
months prior to that, however, the work of dismantling the old building had been in progress. Unseasonable
weather conditions greatly delayed the work but the firm now has a building of which it is justifiably proud. It is of steel construction,
entirely fire-proof, with the latest pattern elevators. The fixtures are Clinton made. In
fact so far as possible the building throughout is a “Made in Clinton” structure. Owing to
the fact that the steel is heavier than usual in building, on account of the large store-rooms on each floor without interviening
walls, the construction was necessarily slow. One one life was lost in its erection, and unusual record. Even before the firm had removed
from its quarters in the Howes block, the remodeling of that building was under way. The basement, first
and second floors are to be entirely remodeled. There will be store-rooms in the basement and on the first
floor and office suites and quarters for a business college on the second floor. Owing to the illness of ex-Mayor E.M. Howes, it was impossible
to secure definite plans for the work. The basement, however, will afford quarters for a barber shop, pool
room and other similar enterprises. On the first floor will be quarters for a cigar store to be operated
by Walter Ray and Frank E. Lee, a restaurant and other stores. Opened to the public August 26, 1914
The Clinton Daily Herald Annual Edition December 19, 1908 p. 32 posted with permission The most extensive improvement made in the city the past year is the building of the new St. Boniface church, which
occupies a prominent position at the corner of Seventh and Pearl streets. Ground was broken for this structure
on March 18, 1908, Rev. Joseph Tritz, the pastor turning the first shovelful of earth. The cornerstone
was laid July 5th in the presence of a multitude of people. In the cornerstone are copies of
the Herald, Advertiser, Anzeiger, Catholic Tribune, Dubuque German Catholic paper, Davenport Catholic Messenger,
history of St. Boniface parish list, signed by sisters and children of the parish, names of members, building committee, Contractor
Zwack, Architect Herr; a bronze medal blessed for the event, a stone from the catacombs at Rome, medals and coins given by
the people and the names of President Roosevelt and Mayor Crockett. The stone bears on the east front the
words “Ecclesia St. Boniface, 1908.” And on its south face a cross, the emblem of Christianity. The
church measures 115 feet in length by 56 feet in width and is furnished with seven spires each 124 feet in height.
The edifice is built of red pressed brick according to Gothic designs, which were planned by Rev. Tritz himself, the
details being carried out by Architect Herr and Contractor Zwack. The seating capacity is upwards of 500
persons. The church is lighted by more than 100 incandescent lights. The inside of the
building consists of a main nave and two side naves, separated by stately columns; the sanctuary is 24 by 24 feet with a sacristy
at each side connecting with a winter chapel 16 by 24 feet, which extends along the rear of the edifice. Pillars
artistically finished, supported the arched ceiling. The choir is over the east entrance; two entrances
lead into the vestibule at the north end of which is a beautiful grotto of St. Lourdes. The bells consist
of a Westminster peal, four bells, the largest, 2,600 ponds, being in E flat, the second, 1,500 pounds, in B flat, and the
third, 750 pounds, in A flat and the smallest, 550 pounds in D flat. The first bell was the gift of the
parish at large, the second that of Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich Holdgrafer, the third was donated by Mrs. Mary Holdgrafer, and the
fourth by the pastor, Rev. Father Tritz. The largest is dedicated to St. Boniface, the second to St. Joseph,
the third to St. Mary, and the fourth to St. Donatus. The exterior of the building is trimmed in Bedford
stone; the main building and the towers are roofed in slate. A part basement has been supplied with heating
apparatus.
The Clinton Herald
Wednesday September 18, 1907 p. 5 posted with permission 200 Men Working On Great Bridge About 200 men, including five
pile driving crews, are now engaged in the work of building the huge steel bridge which the Chicago & Northwestern company
is engaged in constructing over the Mississippi river, and the scene of activity presents an interesting spectacle.
One of the foundations, that of abutment No. 1 on the Illinois shore is now ready for the masonry, and before the end
of the week three more will be advance to that stage. The temporary false work is practically completed
form the Illinois shore to Little Rock island. The power house, to be used in the pneumatic work, is located on Little Rock island, in view of the Iowa shore, and
is completed, and nearly fitted up for the work which is to be carried on there. The caisson for the first
pneumatic pier is finished, and ready to launch as soon as this power house is ready. The caisson will
be transported on barges to its proper place. Then will come the big job of sinking the huge caisson to
the bedrock far beneath the accumulation on the river’s bottom. Consulting Engineer W.A. Hazard, in charge of the big job, stated
to a Herald reporter today that present indications are that everything east of Little Rock island will be ready for steel
by the first of January, 1908. The embankment which is to take the place of a portion of the east trestle approach of the old bridge will be finished
by the first of October. This great fill is 800 feet in length, 22 feet deep, and about 100 feet across.
Another big fill will be made on Little Rock island when the present one is completed. The material
for the fill is being pumped from the bottom of the river. The pile driver crews are being worked seven days in every week, and the work is
progressing rapidly. The
draw span will be one of the largest on the Mississippi river. This will be one of the three lattice spans
between the Iowa shore and Little Rock island. The draw span will be 464 feet in length, giving a full
200 feet on either side of the 64-foot pier when it is open, to allow the passage of boats. East of Little Rock island will be 1,450 feet
of steel lattice spans. A short girder span, 76 feet in length, joins this long stretch, than an abutment,
and next the 800 foot fill. The 550 feet of approach on the Illinois side is supported by about a dozen
pairs of cylinder piers, made of steel, eight feet in diameter and 30 feet high. These are driven down
into the ground, and are filled with driven piles, and concrete, making them extremely firm and solid. The
entire bridge will be one of the most substantial on the Mississippi river.
The Clinton Daily Herald
May 28, 1906 p. 8 posted with permission New Building on Fifth Avenue Fred Steiner will erect a brick building
on his lots at No. 124 Fifth avenue, which building has already been leased for a term of years by J.H. Parker and Co., of
Rockford, who will open a first class vaudeville therater in the new building, which is to be devoted exclusively to that
business. Work on the building will commence in less than three weeks, and it is expected that the structure
will be completed by the middle of August. The theater building will be built of Clinton white brick with a white block front,
and will cost in the neighborhood of $10,000. It will be a handsome and permanent building, fire proof
throughout, and will have an asbestos curtain, and modern and up to date equipment throughout. It will be opened during the coming summer
by the Rockford company, and Clinton people will be assured of some of the best vaudeville entertainment to be secured when
the new theater is opened. The work of preparing the ground will be commenced at once, a wooden buildng
which now occupies the site of the new theater will be moved away, and early in the month of June the creation of the building
will be commenced.
The Clinton Herald
posted with permission Saturday February 3, 1906 p. 5 February 10, 1906 p. 5 In
the dissolution of the firm of Howes Bros., the public will rejoice in the fact that their big stock of high grade Jewelry,
Watches, Diamonds and Cut Glass, will be placed on sale. This is found necessary in order to reduce it
and to make several improvements which will be inagurated by the new firm and announced later. This sale
will start off with a big 9-Days’ Package Sale, which will begin February 15th and last nine days. Packages
will be sold for 50 cents. In addition to the 50 cent articles the packages will contain many Grand
Prizes Among which will be te following: Diamond rings ....$10.00 to $50.00 Gold watches ....$8.50 to $25.00
Cut glass....$1.00 to $10.00 Solid Silver....75 cents to $5.00 These grand prizes
will be on exhibition in our north window. Do not fail to look them over. They will
all be sold at 50 cents each. Everything sold at this sale will be guaranteed and no package will be offered
which is not worth at least 50 cents. HOWES BROS., Clinton’s Leading Jewelers.
The
Clinton Herald December 22, 1905 p. 6 posted with permission COMMITTEE
MEETS BUILDING COMMITTEE OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SELECT ARCHITECT
A
meeting of the building committee of the Presbyterian church was held last evening and plans for the new church discussed.
The church members and the committee have a number of ideas to be worked into the plans of the church.
John Morrell & Son were selected as architects and the company is now working on plans for the new church. The
Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday May 16, 1906 p. 6 posted with permission CORNER
STONE LAID FOR NEW CHURCH Presbyterians Meet for Impressive Ceremony Yesterday. – Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Foulkes. At fifteen minutes before 4 o’clock
yesterday afternoon the corner stone of the new Lyons Presbyterian church to be built at the corner of Seventh and Exchange
streets, was laid with impressive ceremonies. Following the invocation, the pastor, the Rev. D.W. McMillan
gave a brief history of the life of the church organization which more than half a century ago had begun. There
were but twelve persons listed as charter members, W. Godley, Susan Godley, Philip T. Roe, Anna M. Roe, Allen Slack, Mrs.
Anna Gaylord, Mrs. Ellen E. Jerome, Anna Hulbert, Amanda Hulburt, Margaret Hulburt and Charles S. Hulburt. In
the half century past there have been thirteen ministers to this congregation, who have officiated in the three church home,
the second home, the edifice wrecked to make room for the modern structure to be completed this year. The
corner stone contained many publications and souvenirs of the past years in the old church, the pastor sealing the bed in
its bed of mortar. In addition to the Clinton and Lyons pastors who were present at the ceremony were the
Rev. Mr. Mitchell of DeWitt and the Rev. Dr. McClelland of Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Foulkes of
the First Presbyterian church delivered the address of the occasion alluding to the significance of its being laid at the
time of the beginning of the 16th session of the General Assembly of Presbyterian churches.
The Clinton Daily Herald November 21, 1905 p. 6 posted with permission Remarkable progress is being made on the new Lyons high school by the contractors. Last week saw
work commenced on the second story of the magnificent structure and according to the contractors, the roof will be on n a
little over a week. Work was commenced on the building about eleven weeks ago and it is hoped that it will
be completed about May 1, 1906. When it is complete, the citizens of Lyons will indeed have a
school that should fill them with pride. No effort or expense is being spared to make the building one
of the most beautiful, modern and complete high schools in the state. Every modern convenience will be
installed. The basement plans call for a complete heating system, including steam and the hot air fans. A
large gymnasium will also be afforded space in the basement. One of the features that will be greatly appreciated
will be the large manual training quarters. The toilet rooms will take up the remainder of the space. On the first floor will be a large assembly room with seats for 400 students, five recitation rooms, the principal’s
office and an office for the meetings of the school board. On the second floor will be a large study room
with individual seats for 220 pupils, 4 recitation rooms, a science room, and a laboratory. It is
estimated that when completed the building will cost $40,000. The interior will be finished entirely in
oak. Marcus M. Hall of Cedar Rapids, is the contractor.
The Clinton Daily Herald December 12, 1905 p. 6 posted with permission The bricklayers
on the new High school building today completed their work and have made way for the carpenters. With fairly
good weather for the next week, the carpenters will be able to complete the roof on the building and then there will be little
danger of interruption. When the roof has been completed the heating
system will be installed and the plasterers will begin on the walls and ceilings. These will be followed
by the finishers and then the new High school will be completed and ready for its occupants. The contractors
and sub contractors who are engaged on the building have much to be thankful for. They have been especially
favored by the weather. Had the usual conditions prevailed it is doubtful whether of not the building could
have been so far along by this time. Very few bad days have been lost on account of bad weather. When
the building is completed it will be one of the finest school buildings in the city. Situated, as it is,
on the main street of Lyons, it will also be one of the most conspicuous buildings in this portion of the city.
August 24, 1901 Carnegie
upped the amount to $45,000 The
Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday August 6, 1902 p. 5 posted with permission The board of trustees of
the Clinton public school library held an important meeting Tuesday evening in the city hall, with all members of the board
in attendance. The building committee reported that it is in communication with the directors of several
public libraries throughout the country. Visits have also been made by members of the committee to libraries
in other cities and much information gathered which will be of much value in the erection of the building in this city.
Five architects have been requested to submit plans for the building of the library edifice. The
plans and specifications are not yet decided upon, but it is said that the foundation will have been completed before November
1. The principal business at last night’s meeting was the presentation and acceptance of the deed
of the property located at the corner of Eighth avenue and Third street, donated by Mrs. W.E. Young as a site for the library
building. The following resolution was adopted with regard to this matter. Be it resolved
by the board of trustees of the free public library of the city of Clinton, Iowa, That the warranty deed from Mrs. Emma E.
Young and her husband, W.E. Young, conveying to this city as a gift for the purposes of a free public library, lots 1 and
9 in block 23 in said city, be and the same is hereby accepted. “That this board on their own behalf
and on behalf of the citizens of the city of Clinton hereby extends to Mrs. Young their sincere thanks for her magnificent
gift so generously bestowed upon her home city.”
The Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday December 24, 1902 p. 3 posted with permission A special
meeting of the Clinton city council was held Tuesday night, called for the purpose of considering the question of accepting
the additional $15,000 proffered by Andrew Carnegie for the erection of a free public library building in Clinton, making
an aggregate sum of $45,000 to be used for this purpose, the said additional sum to be given in case the city agreed to provide
the sum of $4,500 per year to maintain the institution – the sum of $1,500 per year in excess of the amount heretofore
stipulated.
The
members of the library board have from the start realized that the sum of $30,000 is inadequate to erect a building in keepin
with other public buildings in Clinton and cities of like size throughout the state. So the members of
the board determined to ask the philanthropist for an increased appropriation. The request was duly made
and was granted, on the terms mentioned. Then it was necessary to call the council together to take the
proper legal measures of acceptance of the gift and provision for complaince with the stipulated terms of the donor, if indeed
the council saw fit to do so. Accordingly the special meeting was held last night, the members of the library
board, the mayor and councilmen, and a number of spectators, gathering in the council chamber at the appointed hour, Judge
P.B. Wolfe and Mrs. Walter I. Hayes, members of the board, addressed the council, showing conclusively that the sum of $3,000
a year would be insufficient to maintain even a $30,000 library, and presenting the matter in the light that the addition
of $15,000 can be accepted without more expense to the city than would in all probablility be incurred in the maintenance
of the cheaper building. Judge Wolfe then read a resolution which he had prepared, accepting the additional
sum and providing for the fulfillment of Mr. Carnegie’s demand on the part of the city, and it was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Wolfe stated that the board had found upon investigation that a $30,000 library can not be maintained on $3,000
a year. The librarian, he said, would require a slalary of at least $900 a year, the janitor (who should
be a man qualified to repair books), $600; the assistant librarian, $300; heating and lighting, $600, and the maintenance
of a substation on the north side, $300, which gives a total of $2,700, without figuring in the insurance, nor any incidental
expenses which would necessarily be incurred each year – and leaving not a dollar for books and pamphlets.
He read statements of the cost of maintaining other libraries in Iowa, which bore out his assertion. Mrs.
Hayes remarked that Clinton can’t be behind the standard set by the towns of equal size in Iowa with regard to the public
library, and read statements of the running expenses of some of those institutions which showed clearly that the cume of $3,000
a year would not be ample for Clinton’s proposed free library. She discussed briefly the object and
use of the free public library and told of the benefits to be derived from such an institution. The librarian,
she remarked, must be a professor in his or her particular profession, and must be adapted to the work of bringing the people
and the books together. The library must have a reference room, a children’s room, and rooms for
study, and its equipment and continuance necessarily involves considerable expense. She demonstrated clearly
and to the satisfaction of the council the need of further tax levy to raise funds for its support. When
she had finished and Judge Wolf had read the resolution, immediate and favorable action was taken upon it. Council Hall, Dec. 23. The city council met in special
session with Mayor Farver and all the councilmen present. The city clerk read the call, which stated that the meeting was held for the purpose
of considering and taking action on the proposition of levying an additional one-half mill against the taxable property of
the city of Clinton to defray the expenses of maintaining a free library. By permission Judge Wolfe and Mrs. W.I. Hayes, members of the library board, addressed
the council onthe subject. Judge Wolfe read the following resolution: To accept the donation of Andrew Carnegie: Whereas, Andrew Carnegie has agreed to furnish forty-five thousand dollars to the City of Clinton to erect a free
public library building on condition that said city sahll pledge itself by resoltuion of council to support a free public
library building on condtion that said city shall pledge itself by resolution of council to support a free public library
at a cost of not less than four thousand five hundred dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for said building; now therefore,
be it Resolved,
by the city council of the city of Clinton, that said city accepts said donation and does hereby pledge itself to comply with
the requirements of said Andrew Carnegie. Resolved, That it will furnich a suitable site for said building and will maintain a free public library in said
building, when erected, at a cost of not less than four thousand five hundred dollars a year. Resolved, That an annual levy shall hereafter
be made upon the taxable property of said city sufficient in amount to comply with the above requirements. W.B. Farver, Mayor. W.E. Russell, Clerk. Councilman Hall moved, and Councilman Callender
seconded, that the resolution as read be adopted. The motion unanimously carried and the council adjourned. The Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday January
21, 1903 p. 8 A meeting of the library board was called Tuesday night for the purpose of selecting an architect
to draw up the plans for the new Carnegie library. The firms of Patton & Miller of Chicago, and Smith
& Gage of Des Moines, were represented at the meeting and C.R. Spinck of Davenport, also was present. After considering the recommendations and
information at hand in regard to the different firms it was unanimously decided to award the contract to Patton & Miller
of Chicago. Mr.
Miller of the company, was in the city and was called after the board had decided to grant him the contract. Patton & Miller are prominent
architects of Chicago and are making a specialty of library buildings throughout the west. Letters of recomendation
from about fifteen responsible persons had been received by the board and all spoke in the highest terms in regard to the
work done by the company. The firm of Smith & Gage is also a responsible company and has done very
creditable work over the state, but it has not made a specialty of library buildings as has the firm to which the contract
was awarded. Among
the buildings which are completed on which Patton & Miller did the architectural work are those at Muskegon, Mich., a
gift from the philanthropist Chas. T. Hackley, erected at a cost of $93,000 with an addition later at a cost of $25,000, which
was followed by a training school building constructed at a cost of $150,000. Kalamazoo, Mich., $50,000 Northfield, Minn., $25,000 Muscatine library, the gift of P.M.
Musser, $25,000 Cheyenne,
Wyo., $50,000 Jacksonville,
Ill., $50,000 Streator,
Ill., $35,000 St.
Cloud, Minn., $25,000 Freeport,
Ill., $30,000 Goshen,
Ind., $25,000 The
buildings at the following places are in the course of construction on which the same firm has the architectural contract: Sheboygan, Wis., $25,000. Waukegan, Ill., $35,000. Marshaltown, Ia., $30,000. Beloit, Wis., $25,000. Bedford, Ind., $25,000. Stillwater,Minn., $25,000. Pueblo, Colo., $60,000. Springfield, Minn., $50,000. Port Huron, Mich., $50,000. Others which have cost from
$10,000 to $25,000 are being erected. Sketches are prepared for buildings to be erected at the following places at the designated cost: Eau Claire, Wis., $40,000. Marquette, Mich., $35,000. Laraine, O., $30,000. The above lists are given that
the public may know that the library board has chosen competent architects to draw up the plans for the Clinton Carnegie library.
In some of the above instances letters have been received from some member of the library board and each instance the
writer was highly gratified with the work done by the architects. Mr. Miller will come to the city again next Wednesday and remain until he can submit
a plan which is perfectly satisfactory to the board. During the construction of the building a representative of the company will be in the city a great deal of the time
ot see that the plans and specifications are strictly adhered to by the constructors.
The Clinton Daily Herald Thursday January 22, 1903 p. 3 posted
with permission In view of the fact that Clinton is soon to have a new library building through the generosity
of Andrew Carnegie, something in regard to the work which is being done by the great philanthropist will be read with interest
by the people of Clinton.
At the recent dedication of the handsome white marble library building erected at Washington, D.C., at a cost of
$350,000, Mr. Carnegie was prevailed upon to deliver an address, extracts from which are here produced:
The Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday June 3, 1903 p. 8 posted with permission At a meeting of the
board of trustees of the Clinton Carnegie library, held in the city hall Tuesday evening the bid of Winchester & Cullen,
the Rochester and Janesville contractors, for the erection of the Clinton library building was accepted, and the firm received
the contract for the erection of the building. The bid of the above named firm for the general contract,
including the masonry, cement floors and walks, cut stone, structural iron, carpenter work (including roughing in, interior
finish, cork carpet and wall shelving), composition roofing, plastering and stucco, painting, varnishing and glazing, marble
and mosaic and sheet metal, was $34,512, the same having been the lowest bid received. The following bids
had been submitted:
Winchester & Cullen of Rochester and Janesville, $34,512. F.M.
Garthwait of Chicago, $35,522. William J. Cook of Clinton, $35,840. W.H.
Maxwell of Port Huron, Mich., $36,175. Bully & Andrews of Chicago, $36,987. Marcus
M. Hall of Cedar Rapids, on general and special contracts with exceptions of walks and book stacks, $45,977. John
Lake of Clinton, two bids, one of $44,791.60, including the general contract and several of the special contracts, and the
other of $40,430 on the general and special contracts, excluding the steam heating and gas fixtures and electric lighting. The
vote was five to three on the resolution giving the contract to Winchester & Cullen, and the resolution was adopted.
It was as follows: Be it resolved by the board of trustees of the free public library
of Clinton, That the bid of Winchester & Cullen, same being the lowest bid offering th build our new library, including
all matters embodied in the plans and specifications of our architects, Messrs. Patton & Miller, under the heading of
and embraced in the general contract for $34,512 be and the same is hereby accepted, and the president and secretary of this
board are hereby ordered and directed to enter into a contract with said firm and to require of them a bond of 60 per cent
of said bid with sureties to be approved by said president and secretary, the form of said contract to be such as meets the
approval of said officers, and in their opinion fully protects the interests of this board and the community for which we
are acting. G.D. McDaid, President. Adopted
June 2, 1903. The following bids for work on the library building, the same having been
the lowest bids for said respective classes of work, were by resolution accepted: C.E.
Armstrong & Co., $982.70 for sewerage, plumbing and gas fitting. E.N. Woodbury
& Co., $1,940 for steam heating and ventilation, wwhich 300 feet extra radiation. McFell,
Deenis Co., $550 for the electric light wiring, bells and tubes. Linden Glass Co., $150 for ornamental
glass. Reid & Conger, $96.75 for window shades. Art
Metal Construction company, $590 for book stacks. The following resolution was also passed: “Be
it Resolved, By the board of trustees of the free public library of Clinton, Iowa. “That
the gift of Edward M. Howes and W.H. Howes of a well selected library consisting of seven hundred choice books, same having
been bequested to them by Edward M. and Margaret Davis, be, and the same is hereby accepted, and that this board on its own
behalf and in behalf of the community for which we are acting, hereby extend to Mrssrs. Howes their sincere thanks for their
valued and highly appreciated gift. “That the secretary is hereby directed to express to said
donors the thanks of this board and to present to them a copy of this resolution. (Signed)
“G.D. McDaid, Pres. “Adopted June 2.” Mr.
Cullen of the firm which secured the contract for the erection of the Clinton library, was in Clinton last night, and stated
that work on the new building is to be begun within a few days. Thus it will not be long before Clinton
has a handsome new public library building in keeping in every way with the other institutions of the city. The Clinton Herald Tuesday November 8, 1904
p. 8 Today at the hours between two and nine p.m. the Carnegie library was open for inspection by the public
of Clinton and a number of citizens visited the new building. Great bunches of chrysanthemums and cut flowers were used in the rooms, the large
bunches of chrysanthemums in the west reading room and beside the portrait of the late Hon. George D. McDaid were sent by
Mrs. McDaid in his memory. In connection with this public opening a brief history of the library movement in this city is not amiss. Through the personal
efforts of the late Hon. George D. McDaid the attention of Andrew Carnegie was directed to Clinton and the demand here for
a public library. After some correspondence with Mr. Carnegie his offer was made to Clinton voters, and
on the 31st of March, 102, at a special election, the people decided to accept the proposition. The
majority in favor was 2,459 votes. The late E.H. Hughes, then mayor, on May 13th, 1902, appointed the following
persons as trustees for the new Carnegie buidling; Virtus Lund, Sr. *W.D. Walden, *Theodore Carstensen. //George D. McDaid. *Courtland H. Young. George B. Phelps. *Petrel Davis. *Mrs. W.E. Young. Mrs. Walter I. Hayes. At a meeting held in July of the same year, George D. McDaid was made president of the library board, Virtus Lund,
Sr., vice president, Geo. B. Phelps, secretary. A gift of the site of the building from Mrs. W.E. Young was accepted by the board in August. Following this movement personal visits of
different members of the board were made to different libraries and it was learned that $30,000 would not build as good a
building as it was known that the people of Clinton desired. Accordingly Mr. Carnegie increased his gift
to $45,000, and at a meeting held Dec. 26, 1902, this offer was accepted by the city council, which also pledged to increase
the annual tax from $3,000 to $4,500, the 10 per cent required by Mr. Carnegie upon all his gifts. January 20, 1903, the firm of Patton &
Miller, Chicago, was chosen as architects of the building. June 2, the contract to build was let to the firm of Winchester & Cullen of
Rockford and Janesville. At this time Dan Haring was selected as superintendent of the building to represent
the trustees. June
24th, 1903, stakes were set and ground broken for the new building. In June 1904, the completed building was turned over to the trustees, twelve months
from the time it was begun. On the 20th day of June work was begun on the books for the library shelves and today, November 8th,
the building is opened for public inspection, tomorrow, November 9th, the use of books by the Clinton public will
begin. The work
of cataloguing the books has been entrusted since June to Miss Sweet, librarian, Miss Lillian Cook, Miss Hecker, Miss Work
and Miss King of Rockford, Ill., cataloguer. The personal of the library board includes” Patterson Rowe, president. Virtus Lund, vice president. George B. Phelps, secretary. James A. Greenhill. E.E.Hecker. Rev. E.J. McLaughlin. Marvin Gates. William Howes. Mrs. Walter I. Hayes. The custodian of the library is Theodore Carstensen. *Resigned. // Deceased. Opened November 11, 1904
The Clinton Herald Wednesday May
25 1904 p 8 posted with permission The work of removing the frame structures from the site of the new Cromwell hotel
on Second street and Sixth avenue has been progressing rapidly and a few upright timbers and a pile of debris marks the spot
in which the aged landmarks stood. The buildings were among the first erected in this city, and each
has its history, notably the little structure with its tall peaked roof at the rear of the Pipping place, which served as
an “underground railway station” during the civil war. But these buildings are no more, and
in a few months the ground on which they stood will be occupied by one of the most magnificent hotel buildings in the middle
west. The picture of the new hotel, which has been on exhibition for some time at Howes Bros.’
Jewelry store, on Fifth avenue, has attracted much attention and many admiring comments have been heard from pedestrians whose
attention was attracted to it. Clinton will welcome the new hotel as a forward step in the march of progression. The Clinton Daily Herald Saturday December 16, 1905 p. 19 WILL BE FINEST
HOTEL IN IOWA WORK ON CLINTON’S NEW HOTEL BUILDING PROGRESSING RAPIDLY – WILL BE FINISHED IN
MAY, 1906 FIRE PROOF BUILDING WILL HAVE EVERY CONVENIENCE WILL BE A MODEL OF CONVENIENCE
– EVERY SLEEPING ROOM TO HAVE A PHONE. - MARBLE ART AND CEMENT FLOORS THROUGHOUT – FACTS OF INTEREST Clinton will
have every reason to be proud of the new hotel which is in course of construction at the corner of Sixth avenue and Second
street, and which will be ready for occupancy in April or May, 1906, a cut of which is herewith presented. Since
the building was enclosed several weeks ago a large force of artisans and laborers have been constantly employed in its interior,
and the work is progressing in a satisfactory manner. In a few months the traveling public will be accommodated
in Clinton in what will undoubtedly be the finest hotel in Iowa, and in fact the middle west.
No expense has been spared in the construction of the new Clinton hotel; nor will expense
be spared in the interior department. The building will be as fireproof as it is possible to make a building
in this age of stone and steel. Particular attention was given to this feature, in order that danger from
fire might be reduced to the minimum, if not entirely eliminated. The hotel is five stories in height,
and is built of white brick, manufactured in Clinton, and steel. It presents a splendid appearance, especially
from the Second street and Sixth avenue sides, where the principal entrances are located.
At this early date, when the work on the interior may be said to be only beginning, it is
not possible to give more than an idea of the convenience of arrangement, and the elegance of Clinton’s new hotel, which
is the object of this article. There will be 110 sleeping rooms in the house, and forty-one bath rooms
communicating with these after the most convenient arrangement possible to devise. Every sleeping room
in the hotel will be provided with a telephone, with long distance equipment, so that the guest will be able to telephone
to points at a distance without leaving his room. Of course to make this arrangement possible the hotel
will be provided with a special exchange and operators. These rooms will have hot and cold water, and will
all be heated by steam.
In planning the
arrangement of the first floor of the hotel, some handsome vistas were arranged. Thus the observer at the
Second street entrance will see through the main lobby of the building, into the dining room, separated from it by plate glass
partitions, and raised between two and three feet above it. Great roof lights will make the dining room
brilliant in daylight hours, while a clever arrangement of electric lights will reflect the rays from the great mirrors arranged
in the upper stories of the northeast corner of the lower floor, and the dining room will be a mezzanine floor for the musicians'’gallery.
The cafe will be finished in dark Mission oak.
The
office, in the main lobby, will be so situated that it commands a view of the entire first floor of the building,
and the galleries of the second floor. The lobby and dining room will be floored with beautiful art
marble, and will have mahogany finish. Tile and cement floors will
be laid throughout the entire building. The only wood used
in the structure will be in the doors and door and window casements.
The handsomest of the public rooms on the first floor of the hotel building will be the
lounging room, a spacious apartment in the northwest corner of the building.
This room will be handsomely and luxuriantly furnished.
The bar will be on the first floor, in the southwest corner of the building. Adjoining
it will be the barber shop. Several office rooms for renting purposes will be included in the first floor,
facing Second street.
A set of sample
rooms, finely lighted, will be built in the basement, along the north side of the building. All heavy baggage
will be taken into the basement, through a trunk chute in the rear.
A feature of the construction of the hotel is the arrangement of the suite of parlors on
the second floor, along the Sixth avenue side of the building. These parlors communicate with each other
by large arches, equipped with folding doors; so that they may be converted into a single large parlor, extending the full
length of the building.
Two large elevators
will be built, for the convenience of the guests and employees, and the transportation of baggage to the upper floors.
The kitchen is large and commodious, and its arrangement and communication with the dining room and the servants’
apartments is a model of convenience. The sleeping apartments of course are arranged in the upper stories
of the building. Their furnishing will be in harmony with the elegance of the public apartments.
All the rooms will be lighted and easy of access
from the elevators and stairs.
A visit to the
new structure and inspection serves no other purpose at its present stage, than to give an idea of the size of the building.
It is noticed, however, that the public apartments are unusually large for a building of its size, and cannot be other
than light and airy. Handsome furnishings, marble pillars, tile floors, beautiful wall and ceiling ornamentation,
mirrors, fresco, and the other effects which will be employed in finishing the interior of the hotel will complete the building,
and make it what it was originally designed to be, the finest public building in Iowa.
The hotel has not yet been leased, nor has a name been selected for it. The
duty of naming the handsome building, will no doubt rest upon the lessee.
The
Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday May 16, 1906 p. 8 posted with permission
BUSY TIMES AT LAFAYETTE INN Manager H.B. Ferry Says New
Hotel Will Be Opened To The Public Early In Month Of June WOODWORK ORNAMENTATION
IS ABOUT TO BEGIN Carpet Layers Are Now at Work on the Upper Floor
– A Few Pointers Regarding the Manner in Which the Handsome Hotel Will Be Furnished
These
are busy days for Manager H.B. Ferry of the Lafayette Inn, and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Ferry occupy apartments
in the third floor of the new hotel, from which they will direct the work of installing furniture and preparing the hotel
for its opening a few weeks hence. “We expect to open the Lafayette
Inn early in June,” said Mr. Ferry this morning to a Herald reporter. “We must have the house
open for the firemen’s tournament early in the month. The woodwork will be ready for the decorators
by May 24th.” This decoration will be the last work before the installation of the furniture
and opening of the hotel. The big kitchen refrigerators were
installed yesterday, and the work of laying carpets has commenced on the upper floor of the hotel. A large
force is working in the hotel, and the interior of the building is rapidly nearing completion. The furniture which will be installed in Clinton’s management hotel will be the finest
money can buy. It will be of Colonial variety, with brass beds throughout. All the bed
room furniture is of solid mahogany, dressers, chairs, rockers and tables. These are of course of various
designs for the various rooms. The beds are of the Adams & Westlake make, while the furniture comes
from Grand Rapids. The curtains purchased for the hotel
are of imported chintz and cretonne, hung on brass rods, in colors to give life to the rooms and to enhance the beauty of
the color schemes which are carried out throughout the hotel. The finest Brussels carpets will be laid
in all the rooms, in rug shapes. The walls of the bed rooms are variously tinted in greys, creams, and
rose shades. The halls are finished in light and dark greens. The
doors of the rooms are of Colonial mahogany, with brass knobs, and the wainscoting throughout is of white enamel. The color schemes on the office floor are very striking and effectively beautiful.
Everything will be in perfect harmony and taste. In the office mahogany furniture will be used,
upholstered in green and the walls will be creamy white. The reading and writing room will be furnished
in Flemish oak, the chairs upholstered in Spanish leather in olive and gold shades. In the reception rooms
will be mahogany furniture and Persian rugs. The cafe will be finished in mission oak, with mission oak
furniture in which the predominant decorative effects will be in peacock blue and green. The buffet will
be finished in mahogany. Particular attention will be given
to the finishing and decorative effects in the dining room. In this commodious room is an orchestral platform,
and a feature of the six o’clock dinner which will be daily served will be a musical program. In
the dining room is a large round table for twelve covers surrounded by smaller round tables, to be laid for four guests each.
Arranged about the walls will be square tables, seating two, four and six persons. The kitchen is being equipped completely by the Wrought Iron Range company of St. Louis.
Ranges, dish washers, boilers and other appliances of the most modern and convenient type are being put in. “I expect to purchase the supplies for the Lafayette Inn from home merchants,”
said Mr. Ferry, “so far as practicable. I believe in patronizing home industries, and our care will
be to follow that policy.” Much of the supplies and
furnishings such as linens, shades, chintzes and the like were bought through Clinton merchants. Mr. and Mrs. Ferry have been in Clinton but a few days, so have not had time to meet many
of the people of the city. They are favorably impressed with the city, however, are delighted with it in
fact; and have pleasantly impressed such of the people of Clinton as they have met. “We will
keep ‘open house’ for a time after the opening.” Said Mrs. Ferry, “and will welcome all visitors and
be glad to show them through the new hotel.” The Lafayette
Inn will open early next month under the most promising and auspicious conditions, and The Herald bespeaks for it an abundance
of success.
The Clinton Herald Friday June 8,
1906 p. 3 No announcement has as yet been made regarding the probable time of the formal opening of Lafayette
Inn, Clinton’s handsome new hotel. Manager Ferry states, however, that the hotel will be opened for
the Firemen’s’ Tournament, which begins on the 19th of the present month. It is
highly probable that the hotel will not be completed at that time – indeed it may not be entirely finished before the
middle of July. But the manager of the Lafayette believes that the hotel will be in condition to be temporarily
opened for the convenience of tournament visitors by June 19th. The finishing touches can be
put in the building afterwards. A large force of artists are rushing work in the interior of the hotel,
and the furnishing and decorating is being carried on with all possible expedition. One of the charms of Lafayette Inn is the simplicity of the arrangement of each floor, and
the apparent fitness of everything to the needs of a first-class commercial hotel. Above the parlor floor
the building is L-shaped, so that every bedroom has an abundance of natural light, and the window outlook on the river affords
charming landscape pictures from most of these apartments. Upon entering
the lobby either from the Second street or Sixth avenue entrance one is charmed with the beautiful symmetry of the room and
the noble proportions of the apartment. This charm is heightened by the view of the dining room, separated
from the lobby by a glass partition, and in architecture one of the handsomest dining rooms in the state. Both
lobby and dining room are lighted through large sky-lights of art glass. Both rooms are free of pillar
or post. The lobby has tile floor, with a terrazzo center. The walls are verde antique
marble base, supporting a four-foot mahogany wainscot, above which the finish is of olive green and gold. The
dining room has terraza floor, and is wainscotted to a height of seven feet with golden oak. At one end
of the dining rooms is a large mantel. The ceiling is framed with a deep cove, forming a frieze, which
is beautifully and appropriately decorated. Art glass effects add to the beauty of the room.
A unique scheme of illumination is used for both dining room and lobby.
The cafe adjoining the dining room has tile floor, and is wainscotted to a height of seven feet with mission oak. There are no radiators in those rooms, but warm or cold air, as desired is supplied to the
rooms by means of a devise installed by the American Blower company of Detroit. This device is located
in the basement. It is in the shape of a huge blower, which draws fresh air from the outside into a chamber
filled with radiators, and forces the warmed air through ducts leading to the dining room and lobby, where it enters the rooms
through ornamental gratings, and escapes through other gratings, forming a perfect system of ventilation, as well as regulating
the temperature. In summer air is drawn over beds of ice and cooled before being forced into the rooms. A musician’s gallery is located over the dining room. The clerk’s
desk commands a view of all entrances. The lavatory is back of the clerk’s desk. It
is finished in tile and white marble. The writing room occupies the most prominent corner on the ground
floor. It is richly furnished, and the walls are finished in leather wainscot. The bar
and barber shop have street frontage and occupy the southwest corner of the ground floor. There are to
be no merchandise stores in the building, but space has been leased for railroad ticket offices, telegraph offices, etc. The main stairway to the parlor floor is of verde antique marble, with marble treads and
bronze railing. The bath rooms on the parlor floor all have tile flooring and marble wainscot.
The help’s quarters are located on this floor, entirely separated from the guest rooms, with special bath and
toilet conveniences, as good as those provided for the guest rooms. They also have their own private sitting
room. The bed rooms are all connecting.
The floors are concrete, with rug fastener strip set in eighteen inches from the wall. The walls
are all tinted in oil. The woodwork is all white enamel finish, with four and five coats; and the room
doors are three panel, dark mahoganied birch. The transoms are opaque glass, and the partitions are of
makelite. Every room has hot and cold running water and porcelain bowl located in a recess so as to be,
in a measure, out of sight. The wash bowls are kept out of bath rooms, and put into the bed rooms, so that
every room has the hot and cold water running, whether rented with or without bath. Every bath room has
outside window and ventilation. The tubs, bowls and tanks are all porcelain, and the plumbing is all nickel
trimmed. Every room has clothes closet, telephone, steam heat, and ceiling and wall bracket electric lights. The sample rooms are 15x18 feet in size, are connected with baths, and communicate with
the hall by double doors. There is a fountain of running ice water on every floor, and every floor has
men’s and women’s toilet and bath rooms. A linen chute of galvanized iron reached from the
top floor to the basement. The basement shows many clever ideas.
It is finished in white enamel, making it light and cheerful in appearance. The ceiling is ten feet,
six inches in height. Baggage is received from a trunk chute to the freight elevator. The
stairway down from the lobby leads to a corridor or “midway” as it is called, twenty-one feet wide and 100 feet
long. On one side of which are the store rooms, and on the other side a bowling alley. At
the far end this corridor intersects another similar corridor, from which open nine large sample rooms with north frontage.
The working department is grouped in the southeast corner. The Paul vacuum system of heading is
used, and the power plant is located in a separate building. Here are two 125-horse power boilers of the
George E. Dixon make. The help’s dining room is located
under the kitchen. The wine and provision stores are in the basement, and some unallotted room near by
may be used for any purpose found convenient. The entire basement is cement floored. The
drain is provided for with an automatic pump, which lifts into the sewer, for the basement drain only. The
male help is provided with a special lavatory, with shower bath luxury, the plumbing all in nickel plate. The above is a brief resume of some of the points which go to make Clinton’s new Lafayette
Inn the finest hotel in Iowa. To a building like the Lafayette no brief description can do justice; but
the public will have an early opportunity to gratify their natural desire to see the interior of the splendid building.
That it will equal and even surpass their highest expectations is a certainty.
The
Clinton Herald June 18, 1906 p. 3 LAFAYETTE INN OPENED TODAY First Meal Was Served This
Morning In The Dining Room Of The New Clinton Hotel. THOSE WHO REGISTERED FOR BREAKFAST TODAY.
Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Coan Had Honor of Enrolling Names First on New Hotel Register.
– The Day at the Handsomest Hotel in Iowa.
The Clinton Herald posted with permission Saturday July 12, 1902 p. 3 Work is progressing rapidly on
the erection of the two houses on the bluffs in the western portion of the city as well as upon the moving of the J.D. Lamb
house. The residence of Mr. Lamb will be located on the most southern of the three hills. The basement has been excavated
and part of the foundation laid while the hill has been leveled and prepared for the house when it arrives. The house is now
up the worst part of the incline, fifty-two feet above the level of the street. It has reached the top of the first hill and
is now being turned somewhat so as to pass between trees for the contractor is trying to sacrifice as few trees as possible.
The house will be moved along the crest of the hill for some distance when it must be raised twenty-eight feet more before
it reaches its destination. It will be about three weeks before the house will be placed upon its foundation if the weather
does not interfere, the bad weather being the chief cause of the delay in the work. The house is as solid as before being
moved. Not a thing has been damaged in the furnishings, which were all left in the house. Many pictures have been taken of
it in the last few days, for while one end of the house is only about ten feet from the ground the other end stands out from
the hill and is about twenty-five feet from the ground, making an interesting picture. The barn in the rear of the lot where
the house will be located is nearly completed. Carpenters are putting the finishing touches on it while the painters are work
on the interior. The barn will consist of two stories and a basement. On the upper floors it will resemble an ordinary barn
in arrangement, but in the basement a well has been sunk which furnishes water for the entire place. The well was sunk to
the depth of two hundred feet. A small engine is provided to pump the water for use. A large tank has been built in the rear
of the barn and stands about forty feet in the air, supported by piling. This tank has a capacity of 225 barrels and holds
a reserve supply of water. In the basement of the barn boilers have been placed which will furnish hot water for the residence,
a tunnel having been built from the barn to the house, through which pipes run from the boilers. There will be no heating
apparatus in the house. Plumbers are now at work putting in the connection. A small house has been built for the use of the
hostler and his family. This is near the barn and has already been completed and is at present occupied by Mr. Lamb and family,
who will remain here until their house is ready for occupancy, which will be some time yet, it is expected. A driveway has
been built from Fourth street to the house. It leaves the street a short distance above Ash, and winds among the hills back
to the house. The road has been graded and is in daily use. Marvin Gates' residence will be some distance further north
and on top of the second hill. The house is now being erected, about forty men being employed at present. The residence will
be of the Mexican style of architecture and will be cemented on the outside after being completed. The framework is now up
and the men are boarding up the sides. The residence will be lighted by gas and electricity. The barn in the rear is practically
completed, as is the hostler's house also. They are of the same style of architecture, and will also be plastered on the
outside. A steam heating apparatus will be installed in the basement of the barn and from there pipes will be carried through
a tunnel furnishing heat for the residence. A well has been sunk in the rear and this furnishes water for the needs of the
place. The water is pumped by a small gasoline engine. A large tank had been erected near the barn which will hold a supply
of water in reserve for use in an emergency. Mr. and Mrs. Gates are now moving into the house erected for the hostler and
will live there until their residence is completed, which will not be until late in the fall. A short distance north of the
Gates residence, carpenters are at work on the residence of R.B. McCoy. Contractor John Lake has about ffifteen men employed
and work is being pushed at a rapid rate. The framework is in place and everything is ready for the roof, which will be put
on in a short time. A great deal of steel framework is being put this house to add to its strength. The residence will be
veneered with St. Louis pressed brick. The estimated cost of the house is $30,000. Mr. Lake expects to have it closed in before
cold weather sets in, and by Christmas the place will be ready for occupancy. The heating apparatus will be located in the
basement. The residence will be heated by steam heat throughout. The work on the barn has not been begun yet. The location
has been fixed and it will be some distance in the rear of the house. There will be two stories and a basement in the building.
An independent waterworks system will be put in. A large tank will be built up through and above the barn and this will be
kept full by a small engine that will be installed. The barn will be 30 by 100 feet in size. A house for the servants will
be built in the rear of the residence, but nothing definite has been decided in regard to the plans for this and no work has
been done upon it. A driveway has been built through the ravine. The roadway has been filled in and nearly fifteen hundred
feet of tiling has been laid unter it to ensure a dry roadway. This driveway, when finished, will be one of the finest in
the city. These residences when completed will be ideal homes, occupying as they do, positions from whence a view of the whole
city is obtained. They command a magnificent view of the river for miles and will be seen and admired by the river travelers.
The Clinton Daily Herald
September 16, 1899 posted with permission Clinton’s good luck is now coming in good sized chunks and with a regularity
that is most satisfactory. It is only six months ago that the government appropriated $100,000 for a postoffice
building and $25,000 for the river front improvement. The building will be erected next year ad the river
improvements will then be made. It is but two months ago that the Northwestern announced its intention
to erect two round houses here at a cost of $75,000 each, with other improvements making an aggregate expenditure of $225,000,
and the walls of the first building are already nearly completed. Then a new industry arranged to remove
here form Eldora and the company has already purchased buildings and made all arrangements to come at an early day.
Within thirty days a new railway from this city to the south has begun building and the grading is well under way.
Many other important improvements are either being made or are determined upon. But the Herald is permitted today to make an announcement
that is of decided importance to the retail business of the city. For several months Mr. E.M. Howes has
been considering the erection of a fine block upon his well located lots on the corner of Fifth avenue and Second street.
This morning all the papers were signed necessary to insure the erection of a block and to secure it a tenant that
will add much to the business interests of the city. The building will stand 100 feet front on Fifth avenue, running east from the corner where is now located Mr. Taylor’s
restaurant, and 80 feet on Second street while the east fifty feet will run to the alley, 140 feet back from Fifth avenue.
The main entrance will be in the corner, with double doors and windows under a heavy stone archway. At
the rear on Second street will be an entrance, with stairway and elevator. There will also be an entrance
at the eastern corner on Fifth avenue with stairway. The basement and first story will be of cut sandstone and the best of plate glass. The next two
stories will be pressed brick and stone trimmings. The windows will be arched in pairs and the elevation
will give the structure an imposing appearance. The first and second floors, with extensive balconies will be arranged so as to furnish much pleasure to the people
of Clinton. It is being planned to have a large ball and reception room, banquet hall parlors and other
conveniences for parties, balls, bazaars and other assemblages. The walls will be sufficiently strong to
bear a couple of additional stories when needed. Everything about the building will be strictly modern, and no expense will be spared to make the block substantial,
convenient and attractive. The plate glass fronts will be arranged to permit the best possible window displays. The contract provides that
the building shall be completed and ready for use by September of next year. Reid & Conger the Tenants A lease for the first two floors
of the building was signed this morning by Reid & Conger, the well known dry goods merchants. They
will arrange the store into departments and add at least four new lines to their trade. The change involves
the adding of $40,000 to their capital which will enable them to have one of the very largest stores in the state.
They authorized The Herald to say that when they open in the new block, their store will rank with the very best in
the west. The members of the firm are well known in this section as wide awake merchants, who display excellent
judgement in the conduct of their business. They have been enlarging their business in various departments
from time to time, as necessity came for the same, and this new departure is in accord with the demands of their rapidly increasing
trade. The Messrs. Reid & Conger have unlimited faith in the future of the city of Clinton and their
action is a recognition of the indisputable fact that the city is making rapid advances in the business world. Probably
Another Block Since
the above was written The Herald is authorized to say that H.G. Coe of Clarence, father of V.G. Coe of this city, will probably
erect a block of the same style and in conformity with the plans of the Howes block. Mr. Coe recently bought
fifty feet front on Fifth avenue, just to the east of Mr. Howes lots, and extending to the alley, 140 feet. He
has confidence in Clinton and bought the lots because he believed a business block would be a paying investment.
Mr. Coe has not yet closed with a tenant and is open to propositions. Both he and Mr. Howes can
build cheaper and to better advantage at the same time. If Mr. Coe carries out his present intentions,
and he undoubtedly will, the entire block will be 150 by 140 feet. This is a good day for Clinton and there are
more just like it in store. Clipping
from the paper, no date given. The Howes building is being pushed fast to completion and when finished will be something the owner and the city
may well feel proud over. When completed it will be a place where business will be done with a rush. Just think of going from
one floor to another on a lift worked by electricity, next think of pneumatic tubes; and if Ed. Howes thinks they would accelerate
business, we do not doubt but that he will have them, for ever since he started in business for himself his motto has been
'push things." He never lost faith in his home city; one reason was because the people never lost faith in him. He
now reciprocates by building a monumental pile that will be pointed at with pride long after business ceases to trouble him. The Clinton Daily Herald Monday August 27, 1900 p. 5 posted
with permission ARE
GOING TO BUILD H.G.
and V.G. Coe Will Erect Fine New Building Will be Constructed on Ground East of Howes’ New Block – Will be Fifty Feet Front and Ninety Feet Deep
– Elks to Occupy Second Floor The Clinton Daily Herald Saturday
September 1, 1900 p. 3 NEW HOWES BLOCKSomething
About Clinton’s Fine New Business StructureFirst and Second Floors to be Occupied by Reid & Conger – Nine Suites
of Office Rooms on Third Floor – All are rented – The List of Tenants The new Howes block is rapidly nearing completion
and within a few days will be well filled up with tenants. The interior of the building is handsomely finished,
and has all of the modern improvements. The first and second floors will be occupied by Reid & Conger’s department store, which will be opened
within a few days to the public. The work of moving the goods from the present store building will be commenced
at once. There
are two entrances to the building for the second and third stories, one in the northwest corner, the other in the southeast.
The elevator is reached by the northwest entrance, through the marble wainscoted lobby, with tile floor.
The wood work is of oak and the lobby is set off in an artistic manner by a fancy Greek boarder. In
the hall will be found an office bulletin. The elevator will be run by electricity. It
is of lattice work, with bronze finish. The store rooms are patterned after the modern buildings and have high ceilings and galleries. Messrs.
Reid and Conger and Architect Rice and Mr. Howes visited a number of cities and secured the best information obtainable in
reference to store buildings and the knowledge they received enabled them to plan for a modern interior. On the third floor are nine office suites
and a photograph gallery. The office suites contain four and five rooms each, and are large and well ventilated
and have excellent light. The photograph gallery will be occupied by Gilbert Temple. The
offices will be occupied by the following: One and two, Dr. Herbert R. Sugg Three and four, Marvin Gates Five and six, Dr. Millbourne. Seven and eight, Dr. J.H.F. Sugg. Nine, ten and eleven, C.H. George. Twelve and thirteen, D. Hollawell. Fourteen and fifteen, J.L. Rice. Sixteen and seventeen, Gilbert Temple. Eighteen, D.H. Sheppard. As there are two large halls through the building, on the third floor, and an air shaft, all of the rooms are well
lighted and the circulation of air is excellent. The rooms are finished in cypress, with maple floors.
All are piped for gas and water and have electric light wires. In the building are fine closets and wash stands, altogether making it a modern
and convenient block. In
the basement is a complete steam heating plant, with sufficient capacity to heat a building twice the size of this block.
There is also a store room in the basement, 35-140 feet. Some of the office tenants will move in
at once and it is thought all will be in their new quarters inside of two months. The Clinton Daily Herald Tuesday September 11, 1900 p. 3 posted with permission Reid & Conger – Meet
me on – The Balcony – Saturday –
About 9 a.m. Howes Block Corner Fifth Avenue
and Second Street Saturday Morning At 9 O’Clock The doors of our new store will be thrown open to the public,
and a cordial invitation is extended to everybody to visit the Model Dry Goods Establishment of the state.
The building was designed and built for us – and Mr. Howes, Mr. Rice, the architect, and ourselves, spent weeks
in securing the best and latest features in modern store building. The inside arrangement was designed
by a Chicago architect whose specialty is store fittings. We have an entirely new system of lighting –
the best yet invented. To see this alone will be worth a visit in the evening. Another
feature that is new to Clinton, and will interest you, will be the package carrier system. No more waiting
for clerks to do up your purchases. Everything goes to the wrapping counter in the balcony. Still another innovation that
will be especially appreciated by the ladies will be a quick electric elevator service to the second floor and balcony.
The second floor is the most attractive part of the new store – don’t forget it. Don’t miss the balcony, reached either
by the elevator or the easy flight of stairs. Here you will find a room fitted up especially for the ladies,
with easy chairs, writing desk, stationary, toilet rooms, etc., and here you have a view of the entire store. The most interesting part of
the whole store is the goods it is stocked with, a description of which we will leave for another chapter. SATURDAY MORNINGAt 9 O’clock MEET ME ON THE BALCONYThe Clinton Daily Herald Saturday September 15, 1900 p. 5 posted with permission READY FOR BUSINESS Ried & Conger Open Their
Large Department Store One of the Best Equipped Stores in the State – Fine Stocks of Goods Shown in All Departments – Something
About the Arrangements – Those Employed in Departments The new department store of Reid & Conger was opened today to the public
and hundreds of people visited their new quarters in the Howes Block, corner of Fifth avenue and Second street.
The
store is an excellent one, is large and roomy and is well lighted. It is one of the finest appointed store
buildings in Iowa and Mrssr’s. Reed & Conger has just cause to look upon it with pride. They
took great pleasure today in escorting their customers to the different departments and pointing out the many advantages of
their new home. The interior is finished in hard wood while the painting is white. The
ceilings are high and the ventilation is good, consequently none of the bad effects so common in large stores will be felt
by the clerks on account of improper ventilation. On the first floor, on the west side, are the black dress goods and silks.
The colored dress goods, printed cotton goods and linings are on the Fifth avenue side. The linen
department is at the foot of Fifth avenue entrance, while the domestic department is under the balcony, on the east side of
the room. In the center is to be found the hosiery, gloves, fancy goods and notions. These
are placed in fourteen fine upright show cases. On the north side, round the elevator is the gents’ furnishing goods
department. In the next section, east are the druggist sundries and stationary. In the
north L is the show department. Between the first and second floors, on the east side, is a large balcony
in which are the private offices of Mr. Reid and Mr. Conger, the bookkeeper’s office and the office of the cashier.
Also the wrapping department. On the north side of the balcony is the ladies room, fitted up with easy
chairs, with rugs on the floor and other homelike appointments. The balcony is reached either by the stairs
or elevator. On
the second floor, in the southeast corner, is the millinery department, the arrangement of which has not yet been completed.
East of this is the cloak and ready made suit department. On the east side is the ladies’
muslin underwear department. The center of the room is occupied by infants’ garments and also the
embroidery art department. On the Second street side is the china department, while around the elevator
the corsets are to be found. In the north L, which is 50x70 feet, is the carpet and upholstery department.
The
arrangement is such that the second floor is as attractive as the first, which is saying a great deal. Both
rooms are equipped with the basket parcel and cash system, the latest improvement in this line. The rooms
are lighted by the new style of incandescent arc lights. The building is nicely arranged for toilet rooms. On the first
floor is the lady employee’s’ toilet room; on the second are the toilet rooms for customers, while the men’s
room is on the third floor. There are three entrances to the building, one in the southwest corner, another at the southeast corner on Fifth
avenue and the third on Second street, where the elevator is located. The window space is large and some excellent window dressing is shown, especially
on the Second street side, where are some fine wax figures, fit to grace any store in the large cities. Following is the list of those in charge of
departments, with their assistants: Mr. Holt of Iowa City, superintendent. Charles Tucker of Flint, Mich., manager of carpet department; John Barkow, assistant; Jo Rudolph, carpet layer. Herman Tetzlaff, manager of
dress goods department. Julius Matthiesen, manager of cloak department; Miss Nellie Brady, assistant. W.E. Bartow of Oelwein, manager of china and crockery
department; Miss Gutzmann, assistant. H.M. Kellogg of Minneapolis, manager of shoe department; Miss McLaughlin and Miss Irene Mee, assistants. Miss Lillian Moses, manager
of the book department; Miss Lettie Sturdevant, assistant. Miss Lizzie Salady, silk department. Miss Julia Merrill, white goods department. Miss Minnie Tilleen, ladies’ knit underwear. Miss Zella Hill, kid gloves. Miss Eliza Edens, domestics. Valinda Matthiesen, assistant
in domestics. Miss
Anna Dyer, hosiery. Miss
Louise Horn, muslin underwear. Miss Delia Logan, corsets. Miss Frances Stroll, notions. Miss Margaret Richter, laces. Miss N. Behan, ribbons. Miss Katherine Carrow, jewelry. Miss Kathryn Niessalie, cashier and bookkeeper. Arthur Reid, bundle counter. Fred Richter, delivery Roy Kinch, elevator E.E. Eliason, janitor
The Clinton Daily Herald
Vol. 33 No. 95 Wednesday December 20, 1899 p. 5 posted with permission Congressman Lacey has prepared
a bill curing the defects in the Iowa law relative to United States jurisdiction which prevented the government from going
ahead with the public buildings in this and other cities, and it will be introduced in the senate by Senator Blanchard of
Oskaloosa, when the legislature meets. The cities interested are Clinton, Oskaloosa and Creston.
The bill will undoubtedly be passed without delay and the new law ought to be in force within thirty days.
There will then be nothing in the way of going ahead and selecting a site so that contracts can be let at once.
In that event the superstructure of the government building will be completed next season. The selection
of a site will attract much attention. The
Clinton Daily Herald Vol. 33 No. 128 Saturday January 27, 1900 p. 8 ASKS FOR BIDS
Treasury Department Wants Site for Clinton Building The Herald this morning received from the secretary
of the treasury an order to publish a call for propositions to sell a site to the government for the new postoffice building,
which will be in Monday’s daily. The terms of the proposition are that the site, if on a corner,
must approximate 144 by 160 feet, or if not on a corner, then it must have 200 feet frontage and a depth of 144 feet.
It is also provided that the site shall be centrally located. The bids must be in by February 27,
and when the site is accepted all the buildings must be removed within thirty days after written notice is served.
The prompt action on the part of the department indicates that the work on the building will begin and pushed without
delay. The Clinton Daily Herald Vol.
35 No. 285 Friday August 1, 1902 p. 3 THE NEW POSTOFFICE The Clinton Government Building is Nearing Completion
Building Will be Ready for Occupancy by October 1 – Will be Handsomely Equipped and a Credit to the City –
Something of its Internal Arrangement Work on the new Clinton government building on Fifth avenue is now
nearing completion. A few days ago the fence that has been surrounding the building was torn down and one
is able to get an unobstructed view of the structure. A wall has been constructed on a line with the north
side of the building to the western limit of the lot. It is about four feet high. A
similar wall extends to the alley on the east side. The lot in front of the building on the east and north
sides has been leveled and crushed rock is being placed on it. On this, crushed granite cement will be
placed. This will form a very durable walk and will extend from the building to the street.
The main entrance will open on Fifth avenue. Another entrance will open from Third street, while
there will be a door in the rear of the building for the use of employees. At the sides of each entrance
bronze lampposts have been placed through which gas pipes have been run. The main corridor running along
nearly the entire front of the building, will be the most finely decorated part of the structure. Marble
wainscoting will extend from the floor to the ceiling and some of it is already in place. This will be
put up as soon as possible. The marble is polished before being hung in place, and is supported by large
hooks. The base will be darker than the other. The walls will be very beautiful when
finished. The ceiling of the lobby is now nearly completed. It is entirely covered with
plaster casts. These are made in the building by an expert molder. The process as followed
in this building is interesting. First a model of clay is made very carefully. After
this is dry gelatine is poured into this mold and allowed to cool and harden. When this has hardened it
is very pliable and easily removed. It can be bent into any shape and will upon being released resume its
original shape. Into this mold plaster of paris is run and allowed to harden. When this
is hardened the gelatine mold is pealed off and the cast is ready to place in position. A large number
of molds are being used in the decorating of the building, various styles of rosettes being among the decorations.
This work is very particular, as the variation of a sixteenth of an inch in a panel twelve feet long would be detected.
Everything is measured with a steel rule and must exactly coincide with the plan. In the work room
no such elaborate decorating will be done and the finishings will be plain. The ceilings will be practically
plain with few decorations, while wood will replace the marble in the wainscoting. The chief decorator
reminded a Herald reporter this morning that his work will be finished in two weeks, after which all the gelatine casts will
be re-cooked and made into different shaped molds for other buildings. There are saved though until the
casts have been accepted at the inspection. The chief decorator remarked this morning that although he
had had charge of the decorating of a large number of buildings, including several court houses, the State University building
at Iowa City and four other postoffice buildings, this work at Clinton is the finest of them all. It is
more exact and the patterns are much more difficult. The safes are now being put in place.
One will be placed in each office. A large one will be placed in the southwest corner of the building
in the money order room. This room will be divided into two rooms, one for the public and one for the use
of employees, where the work of the department will be carried on. The public room will be nicely finished,
much better than the work room. In the center of the building the main office will be located.
The general delivery window will be near the east end of the room and will open into the lobby. The
boxes will be to the west of the window. There will be a large number in use and they will be more up to
date than the ones now in use in the post office. For everything in the new building will be of the latest
pattern and will be the most convenient that is in use. The postmaster’s office will be in the northwest
corner of the building. Small rooms are being built between the walls of the structure, which will be used
by the inspectors in case they wish to watch an employee under suspicion. A dark passage leads from the
basement between the walls to the room, which overlook the entire postoffice. Here an inspector can sit
and look through small holes in a radiator down into the workroom and observe the actions of any suspected employee unobserved.
Three such rooms will be built in the new post office. Before the building will be opened after
it is finished a general inspector will be sent by the government to see if the building is constructed according to the plans
and specifications. The inspection will be a severe one. It is not expected the new
structure will be ready to open for business before the first of October. The Clinton Daily Herald Thursday November 20, 1902 p. 3 A MODEL STRUCTURE That
is What Clinton’s New Government Building Is. Postmaster Gardner and His Corps of Workers will Move
into Their New Quarters December 1 – Something of Interest Concerning the Handsome New Structure. Clinton’s
new government building is about completed. For eighteen months work has been progressing on the handsome
structure which grew into form and shape under the skillful hands of the force of artisans employed, until today it stands
to all appearances complete, and about as handsome a specimen of Colonial architecture as one would wish to see.
Indeed Clinton people may well point with pride to their post office at the corner of Fifth avenue and Third street,
in the very heart of the city proper and on one of her most aristocratic thoroughfares. The structure is
built of Bedford stone upon a foundation of granite surrounded by a wide pavement of stone and enclosed with a handsome fence
of Bedford rock surmounted with an iron railing, the whole fashioned after a most elaborate design, with pillars at the gateways.
At the rear is a wide brick driveway and in the yard are handsome courts. There are three entrances
to the building, proper, and one to the basement. Two of these open into the main lobby, and the other
into the mailing room. The front and side entrances consist of great revolving doors built after a modern
pattern, models of convenience and adaptability, being so built as to serve the purpose of storm doors by a change in the
adjustment. The main or public lobby extends across the front of the building, to the postmaster’s
private room, partitioned off on its west end. The floor of the lobby in Mosaic with a marble border; and
the walls are of natural white plaster, with green marble pilasters and wainscoting. In this room, as throughout
modern furniture and devices necessary for this particular branch of the work. A stairway leading
to the storage room in the attic opens from the mailing apartment. The “lookout” room is located
in the attic, reached either from the store room or over a stairway leading from the basement. Here a view
of the entire workroom is obtained, the aperture being so screened that the observer is not observed – the inspector
gaining access to the room secretly if he so desires, and watching the work going on beneath. At the rear
of the mailing room is a glass marquise awning over the mail room platform. An iron stairway leads from
the work room to the carriers’ apartment in the basement. Here are chairs and tables for the convenience
and comfort of the force of carriers, also lockers for their clothes and toilet rooms close by. In the
basement is the steam heater, occupying a large apartment, fuel rooms, and a bicycle room, fitted with a rack for wheels.
The principal apartments of the structure, summed up, are as follows: Public lobby.
Money order room and lobby. Workroom. Postmaster’s room. Assistant
postmaster’s room. Mailing room. Two storage rooms. Carriers’
room. Toilet rooms. Boiler room. Fuel room. Bicycle
room. The building is heated throughout with steam, and is lighted with electricity and gas.
M. Yeager & Sons of Danville, Ill., were in charge of the construction of the building, upon which the sum of $100,000
has been expended. The painters and decorators have almost completed their work, and within a few days
the building will be complete and the furniture put in (article complete with a drawing of the building
and elevation of the main floor James Knox Taylor Supervising Architect). The Clinton Daily Herald Saturday November 29, 1902 p.
5 The new postoffice will be opened Sunday morning. After work hours this evening, Postmaster
Gardner and his forces of assistants will transfer their quarters to the handsome new government building which for the past
eighteen months has been in course of construction at the corner of Fifth avenue and Third street, and on Sunday morning the
mail will be taken to the new office, and distributed from there in the future. The new postoffice is one
of the finest equipped of similar buildings in the state of Iowa. The Clinton Herald Saturday December 20, 1902 p. 1 The City of Clinton and Its Many Advantages
and Opportunities. (article complete with a drawing of the building and elevation of the main floor James
Knox Taylor Supervising Architect). The
Clinton Herald Monday June 11, 1934 p. 5 The Clinton Herald Friday March 29, 1935 p. 16 P.O. Project Work Nearing Half Way Mark
Contractor Redding Takes Advantage of Favorable Weather Intervals of favorable weather conditions
during the past several weeks have enabled Contractor John R. Redding to accelerate work on the new addition at the local
postoffice with the result that at the present time the project is 40 per cent complete. All the granite
for the job is in place on the east and south walls and word has been received that the stone was shipped from Bedford, Ind.,
March 25. This stone will be used above the granite on the east and a section of the south walls.
Face brick work on the south and west walls has also been completed. Work has been completed on
the walls and roof of the loading platform and mailing vestibule. All mechanical work including the plumbing
and electrical work is complete pending further progress on the masonry work. If the present rate of progress
is maintained, plastering work will probably be started May 1, Henry S. Hines, construction engineer, revealed today.
Hines also explains that the contractor has been maintaining the schedule as laid out for progress during the winter
months. Indications at the present time are that the job will be finished at least 10 weeks ahead of schedule.
Ruling that the rounded curbs flanking the sidewalks to the north of the postoffice were in a weakened condition, Engineer
Hines ordered their removal and this work has been completed. If present plans materialize the postoffice building is slated for a bath.
Feeling that the grimy exterior of the main building would be an incongruous contrast to the beautiful new addition
being erected, Construction Engineer Henry S. Hines has formulated a plan for the cleaning of the building and it has been
given tentative approval. The bath would be given by means of a special steam vapor method. Life Ends At 32 for Doors At
Postoffice Instead
of life beginning at 40, life will end at 32 for the revolving doors at the Clinton postoffice. Since 1903
these doors have moved tirelessly ‘round and ‘round, but it has been decided they have outgrown their usefulness
and must make way for modern progress. Present plans call for the installation of modern vestibule entrance
type doors with glass panels and quarter-sawed The
Clinton Herald Friday April 26, 1935 p. 3 Contractor John R. Redding is undoubtedly a believer in that
old saying urging that work be done while the sun shines, for under his supervision rapid progress is being made these days
in the construction of the addition to the local post office. The contractor is maintaining a construction
schedule considerably in advance of the original one and at the present time the job is over 50 per cent complete.
All the stone work on the addition has been completed with the exception of setting the coping and the pointing up
of all the open joints between the courses. A special weather proofing material is being used in the latter
work. According to Construction Engineer, Henry S. Hines, the next move calls for the finishing of setting
steel joists, placing of the metal lathe and pouring concrete for the roof slabs. This work is scheduled
to be carried out within the next few days. Tile partitions are in place in the basement and are ready
for plastering when the roof is completed. Tile also is on hand for the lining of the interior of the work
room. It is estimated that plastering work should be finished by the end of May and interior wood work
started. As soon as the roof of the additon is in place and plastering work started, rearrangement and
remodeling of the old building will be launched. This will necessitate a number of changes in the handling
of the mail, but will result in no inconvenience to the public. Official word has been received by Mr.
Hines announcing that competitive bids for the cleaning of the exterior of the old building probably will be called for in
the near future. Present plans call for the use of a vapor-bath system in effacing the dirt and grime of
years from the outside walls. Construction Engineer Hines is dividing his attention among three projects,
the local job, a new post-office in Fulton, Ill., and a new one in Morrison, Ill. S. Warmoth, who was assigned
to the Illnois jobs in the capacity of construction engineer, was injured in a fall last week, which necessitated the taking
over of his work by Mr. Hines. The
Clinton Herald Monday November 18, 1935 p. 18. Work of removing the dirt and grime from the exterior of
the main section of the Clinton postoffice has been completed and it now matches the “new” appearance of the recently
constructed addition. Steam under pressure and soda were used in the cleaning process and rapid progress
was made in the job. Window sills and other exterior equipment will be repainted. The
new vestibule doors at both the Fifth avenue and Third street entrances have been installed and the marble floor repaired.
The Clinton Daily
Herald Friday July 1, 1898 p. 5 posted with permission Work Commenced
New Episcopal Church will soon be a Reality Interior of the Building Now Being Striped – Work of Tearing Down Old Building Will be Commenced Tuesday Rev.
Morrill Will Take a Vacation It
will not be long until Clinton willpossess a beautiful new church and one that will be a credit to the pastor and members
of St. John’s Episcopal church, but to the citizens of Clinton as well. Work has really been commenced on the new building
as the interior is being striped of seats, gas fixtures, organ, etc. Tuesday the work of tearing
down the main structure will be begun and the construction of the building will then be rushed until completed. Next Sunday Rev. Morrill
will occupy the pulpit of Grace Episcopal church in Lyons and in a few days after will go on a vacation of several weeks’
duration. He will spend most of his time in the east, enjoying a well earned rest.
A cut of the new church will be when completed is
herewith printed. It will be seen that the edifice will be a beautiful one and an honor to our city. The Clinton Daily Herald Thursday July
7, 1898 p. 5 posted with permission A Bit of History Interesting
Facts Connected With Old Episcopal Church Was Built Thirty-six Years Ago Sput. Waiden the Architect Rev.
Watson Preached the First Serman in the Church Building Now Being Torn Down As the Episcopal church is being torn down there is daily coming to light some
interesting history concerning its construction. It
was built thirty-six years ago. Supt. Walden, of the Northwestern, was the architect and designer of the
building. The carpentry work was don by the late Peter Barr. Mr. Flournoy, deceased, one of Clinton’s earliest settlers, was the prime mover in the building of the church.
At the time the church was built, the population of Clinton was small and it is said those at the head of the project
worked hard to secure means to erect the building, but by hard and faithful work finally succeeded. It is saiid that when the corner stone was laid, with
the usual ceremonies, that records, papers and different articles weree placed thererin and a citizen of Clinton who was present
on this occasion, told a HERALD reporter that he thought a copy of The Clinton Herald, which was a weekly paper then, would
be found when the building was torn down. This will be accomplished in a few days, as the roof is already
off and the sides are being torn down. However, it will probably be two weeks before the fundation is reached.
Work on the new building will then be commenced and will be pushed rapidly until the new structure is completed. Rev. Watson, of Iowa City, who was a minister
in Lyons at the time the edifice was built, preached the first sermon in the then new building. The Clinton Daily Herald Thursday July 28, 1898 p.
5 posted with permission Work on the new church is progressing nicely, the foundation being partly
laid. Tomorrow the force of men which has been working on the foundation of the Ware residence will be
transferred to the church and much more progress will be made on the latter building. It is the intention
now to have the laying of the cornerstone about Aug. 15. This event will be duly observed by appropriate
exercised. Five of the stone cutters working on this building are from Chicago. It was
impossible for Contractor Lake to secure enough men here for this work, consequently sent to Chicago for them.
This speaks well for Clinton labor as far as employment is concerned. The ground where the new church is being built will be filled in four feet, thus bringing the building seven feet
higher than the present level of the lot. The
Clinton Daily Herald Friday July 29, 1898 p. 5 posted with permission Articles of incorporation of St. John’s Episcopal church, of Clinton, have
been filed at the office of the county recorder. The
affairs of our corporation are to be conducted by a board of nine directors, with the following acting for the first year:
C.B. Obert, J.S. Lowell, E.H. Thayer, L.B. Wadleigh, F.S. Roberts, J.D. Lamb, J.H. Ingwersen, J.Q. Jefferies and I.P. Brewer. The officers will consist of a president,
secretary, and treasurer, to be elected annually by the board of directors. Until the next election the
following will act in this capacity: L.B. Wadleigh, president; I.P. Brewer, secretary; J.Q. Jefferies, treasurer.
The vestrymen will be elected on Easter Monday of each year, and will constitute the board of directors. Lay Corner
Stone Important Exercises Relative to New Episcopal Church Exercises Will be Held at 4:40 Tomorrow
Afternoon Conducted by Masonic Order Dr. Thomas E. Green Cedar Rapids, Orator At 4:40 o’clock tomorrow afternoon will
occur the laying of the corner stone of the new Episcopal church. The exercises will be in charge of the
members of the Masonic bodies of this city who were especially appointed by the grand master of Masons in Iowa to perform
the ceremony. W.S. Gardner, past senior grand
warden and past deputy grand master and a permanent member of the grand lodge of Iowa, will act for the grand master.
The other officers of the grand lodge will be represented by members of Lyons lodge, No. 93, Western Star lodge, No.
100 and Emulation lodge No 255. At 3 o’clock the meers of the order will assemble at the Masonic hall and will march to the church lot where
the exercises will be conducted, commencing promptly at 4:30. The program opens with a selection by rof. McArthur’s make quarter.
This will be followed by the Masonic exercises, after which Dr. Thomas E. Green, a member of the order, will deliver
the oration. Dr. Green is rector of Grace Episcopal church at Cedar Rapids, Ia. In a receptacle in the corner stone will be
placed a small lead box in which will be deposited a Bible, prayer book, hymnal, list of members of the church, key to the
old church and copies of the Age and The Herald. Rev. H.H. Morrill, pastor of the church, extends a cordial invitation to the clergy of the city, regardless of denomination,
to attend these exercises. The public is also invited.
The Clinton Daily Herald
Thursday March 17, 1892 posted with permission This bring the second anniversary of the dedication
of the new Catholic parish and church in North Clinton to St. Patrick, it will be observed as a solemn festive day by the
parishioners. At 9 a.m. there will be a solemn high mass in the church at which many priests from a distance
will take part. AT 2:30 p.m. a branch of the A.O.H. will be formed in the Temperance hall on Elm street
by County Delegate Burke of this city, and in the evening there will be two lectures in the church at 7:30. The
first a panegyric on St. Patrick in the Irish language by Father Walsh of Kiethsburg, Ill. It will be remarkable
alike for its being in the first formal lecture or discourse in the Gaelic tongue ever heard in Iowa, and also, in all probablility,
the last which will ever again be heard in our midst. The second will be “Ireland’s past glories
and future hopes” in English by Rev. Father Toomey, of St. Raphael’s Cathedral, Dubuque. This
subject alone would be sufficiently magnetic to those who claim kinship with Ireland’s great ones of the past but being
touched with the talisman of a lecturer and orator of Father Toomey’s repute, it will doubtless attract an audience
which will tax the capacity and accomodation of St. Patrick’s. The Clinton Daily Herald Monday April 10, 1905 p. 8 posted with permission CONTRACT IS LET
FOR NEW CHURCH Work on St. Patrick’s to be Begun Immediately After Easter LaCrosse Contractor Will
Construct It St. James Hall to Be Temporary Church Home of the Congregation Pending Erection of New Edifice
This morning the contract for the erection of the new St. Patrick’s church was let to N.C. Bacheller of LaCrosse,
whose bid was considered the most satisfactory of those presented for the wrecking of the old church and rectory, and the
construction of the new buildings. The work is to commence immediately after Easter, April 23d, until which
time the old church will be used. The final services will be held in the church on Easter Sunday.
The rectory is to be removed to the vacant lot next to the school, where it will be allowed to remain until the new
rectory is completed. In the meantime it will be occupied by Father Murray. The church
and rectory are to be modern in every detail comfortable and convenient. The church will be the first Romanesque
edifice in this part of the state. Romanesque architecture is a blending of the Roman and Gothis, and the
effect is very striking and pleasing. Pressed brick will be used in the construction of the buildings,
with iron girders throughout. The roofs will be of slate and the floors of maple and oak, the latter material
to be used in the rectory flooring. The church will be constructed with a pillared sanctuary, an organ
loft, and transepts, another innovation for Clintoon, and it will have a seating capacity of 700. Until
the new church is completed Father Murray will hold services at St. James’ hall, on the church property, where masses
will be celebrated on Sundays. The new St. Patrick’s church will be completed October 1st,
it is expected. The Clinton Daily Herald
Wednesday October 25, 1905 p. 8 posted with permission $77 FOR HIGH
ALTAR DETROIT BANKER REMEMBERS CLINTON PASTOR WITH GENEROUS DONATION – GIFT IS MUCH APPRECIATED Father Murray, pastor of St. Patrick’s
church, was greatly pleased this week to receive a check for $700 for the erection of a high alter in the new church on Elm
street. The check was sent to him by one of his warm personal friends, E.H. Doyle, a Detroit, Mich., banker,
who, though he has never lived nor even visited Clinton, takes much interest in Father Murray’s building project.
This is the second donation to the new church made by Mr. Doyle, who once before sent a check for $100 to Father Murray.
It is needless to say the generous gifts are appreciated by the pastor and congregation of the Elm street church. Father Murray expresses the opinion that
the new church will be ready for occupancy about the Christmas holidays. It had been expected to have the
church ready prior to that time, but there will be delay on account of the fresco work on the interior. The
church will be beautifully frescoed and decorated. The
Clinton Herald Wednesday December 20, 1905 p. 1 posted with permission Opening of New St. Patrick’s
Beautiful Edifice to be opened on Christmas Day – Father Tooney of Dubuque speaks. The new St. Patrick’s church is practically completed, both on the exterior and interior, and will be opened
on Christmas day. A high mass will be celebrated at 5 o’clock in the morning, in accordance with
the custom at the church, and there will be two other masses in the morning, a low celebration at 8 o’clock, and a solemn
high mass at 10. Rev. J.J. Toomey, director of St. Raphael’s cathedral, Dubuque, will deliver the
sermon. Special music will be rendered, under the direction of Professor W.A. McArthur. In
the evening a sacred concert will be given in the new church, at which a splendid program will be given. There
will be charges for admission to the church, and the public is cordially invited by Father Murray, pastor of the church, to
attend the services, to which non-Catholics will be as welcome as Catholics. The public is invited to attend
and see the prettiest church in the middle west. The Clinton Herald
Thursday December 21, 1905 p. 3 posted with permission Late addition to sacred edifices New St. Patrick’s
church of Clinton modern and beautiful building in every detail Seating
capacity is 700 building is 124x66 feet Architecture is Graceful
and Proportions Perfect - The Ornamentation – Brief Description of New Church on Elm Street As the Herald stated yesterday the new St. Patrick’s church is now completed, and will be opened to the public
on Christmas morning, when three masses will be celebrated, at 5 8 and 10 o’clock, respectively. The latest addition to the sacred edifices of Clinton is 124 feet long, 66 feet, wide and 40 feet high, and has a
seating capacity of 700. The basement is built of sawed Bedford rock, the water table and trim portage
entry red sandstone, and the superstructure Gladbrook red pressed brick. The roof and towers are of the
unfading black Bangor slate; and the two graceful domes are roofed with copper, surmounted by gold leaf crosses, 110 and 86
feet, respectively, above the street. The winter chapel (26x20 feet), and the sacristy
(20x10 feet) are connected by a 8 foot rear corridor which runs at the rear of the high altar, and are so arranged that they
can be heated from the rectory hard by. The interior of the church impresses the visitor
with its graceful and varied lines of architecture; and the pleasing and perfect proportions of the whole. The
arched ceiling is sustained by tall pillars that support massive capitals; and from the capitals spread out, in gentle curves
and symmetrical arches, ribs that the decorator has accentuated with splendid success. Immediately within the three great doors that stand upon the broad platform along the facade, there is an ample vestibule
that runs through graceful arches to the baptistery on the east side; and to the main tower on the west. Above
the vestibule and extending out to a semi-circular balustrade beyond the interior wall, is the organ loft, lighted up by a
beautiful opalescent rose window. The apse is a perfect octagon, retreating from the nave with a noble
Roman arch 34 feet high, 28 feet wide and 26 feet deep. Sixteen feet from the north wall of the nave, there
is a transcript which gives an indescribably beauty and variety to the interior. The windows of the new church are a triumph of the artist’s skill. They cost $2,000 and
are the donation of the parish and its friends, as memorials to their dead. The windows are a succinct
but faithful history of Jesus Christ. The first window shows Melchizadeck, the high priest of Salem, offering
sacrifice with bread and wine, as the clearest type of the Redeemer in the old Testament. The second window
shows the Annunciation; the third, (a three panel rose window in the east transept), the Nativity, The fourth the presentation
in the temple, when Jesus was 8 days old. The fifth, Christ’s first miracle at the age of 30, changing
water into wine, in Cana; the seventh, Our Lord instituting the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper; the eighth, the crucifixion
on Calvary. This is also a three-panel rose window, in the west transept; the ninth, the Resurrection on
Easter morning; and the tenth and last, St. Peter feeding lambs and sheep, with outlines of a Christian church in the background.
This final window in the group, represents the mission of the church and is the only one that has not our Lord in it
either in person or symbol. “For Christ said, “A little while and now you shall not see me.” Besides these figured windows there are several other art windows in the nave, towers vestibules and chapels.
These are all in keeping with the figured windows above, and are finished in color schemes of varicolored opalescent
glass, relieved with well-known Catholic emblems. The whole church
is artistically frescoed by our local artist, W.G. Andrews. The ceilings are cream and gold; the walls
green and gold; and the pillars and pilasters ivory. Among the mural
painting three deserve special mention. The first is a large life size painting of the Immaculate Conception
from Murillo. This has a marked prominence, on the Roman arch that spans the apse. The
other two are on each side of the transepts. On the east is the introduction of Christianity into America.
This shows, on a panel 16x10 feet, Columbus and his fellow missionaries and mariners, with the three caravels, on one
side, and the tropical coast of San Salvador with many lurking curious Indians on the other side. On the west transept, is a companion picture – the introduction of Christianity into Ireland. This
shows that historic incident which occurred on Tara Hill where St. Patrick was summoned before the Ard-Ri Leoghaire to give
reason why he started the paschal fire, before the Druids kindled their fire in honor of Bel. Both pictures show much skill and excellence. The high altar
is a thing of beauty. It is finished in white and gold and rises above the sanctuary in a series of ascending
arches to a height of 25 feet. It is wired for electrical illumination, and when lit up, is fascinatingly
gorgeous. The communion rail also lays proud claim to prominent mention. Its main outlines are Romanesque
and has a series of arches, of hand-carved wood that are sustained by onyx pillars. A slab of immaculate
white marble, 8 inches wide and 2 inches deep, runs along the top. The rail is 30 feet long, has a 6 foot
double gate in the middle, and two massive posts for angels, in the ends. At the main door, as you enter, are two Italian marble holy water fonts, 39 inches high. These
stand at the rear pews. The pews are antique oak and have curved seats
and backs with nicely carved Romanesque ends. The church is
heated by steam, and the system is a new one, known as the Shurtleff vacuum heating system of Rock Island, Ill. The lighting of the church is by electricity. There is no chandelier or bracket in the building.
But the whole church is lighted from a series of 16 candle power electric lamps that dot the longitudinal and transverse arches
of the ceiling. When these lights are turned on, and the worshipper gazes on the ceiling above, he feels
almost enchanted, and fancies he is gazing on a starry firmament, where a myriad stars fret and palpitate away. The architects of the building were Shick & Roth of La Crosse, Wis. The contractor was N.C.
Bacheller of the same city. The pews and the altar and communion rail were furnished by the Dubuque Altar
Co. The new church is the culmination of 16 years of untiring effort on the part of Father Murray, who on Thanksgiving,
1889, started St. Patrick’s parish. His parishioners are justly proud of their leader; and the community
at large devoutly congratulates both him and them, on the splendid improvements they have added to the city. The Clinton Herald Thursday December 21, 1905 p. 8 posted with permission NO CHARGES TO SAINT PATRICK’S CHRISTMAS DEDICATORY SERVICES
IN THE NEW EDIFICE WILL BE FREE AND THE PUBLIC IS INVITED Verily the newspaper
man has troubles of his own, as well as other people; a few more than most people in fact. A word added
here or dropped there from his “copy” is sometimes a powerful agent to contort his meaning and put an aspect on
an article entirely at variance with his original idea. A forcible illustration of this fact is found in
the following paragraph which appeared in The Herald Wednesday in connection with the announcement of the opening of St. Patrick’s
church on Christmas day’ “There will be charges for admission
to the church, and the public is cordially invited by Father Murray, pastor of the church, to attend the services.” Of course the paragraph should
have read; “There will be no charges for admission to the church,” but that little word of two letters, which
has the reputation of being one of the two giants of this life for good or evil, was omitted by accident, and the public was
misled by a reversal of the idea which the article had been intended to convey. The Clinton Herald
Tuesday December 26, 1905 p. 3 posted with permission CHRISTMAS
AT SAINT PATRICK’S HANDSOME NEW CHURCH ON ELM STREET OPENED WITH
APPROPRIATE CEREMONY ON DAY OF THE NATIVITY LARGE CONGREGATIONS ATTEND
MORNING AND EVENING SERVICES REV. J.M. TOOMEY OF DUBUQUE
DELIVERS SERMON AT THE SACRED CONCERT IN THE NEW CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS EVENING The new St. Patrick’s
church was formally opened on Christmas morning, when three masses were celebrated. The first mass commenced
at 5 o’clock, at which hour a large congregation assembled in the handsome new church on Elm street. The
altars were beautifully decorated with flowers and candles and their beauty was shown to advantage when the hundreds of candles
were illuminated, the effect having been most pleasing to the eye. A low mass was celebrated at 8 o’clock
and at 10 a solemn high ceremony began, with Rev. J.A. Murray, pastor of the church as celebrant, Father Sullivan deacon,
and Father Kissane master of ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Father Kissane, whose subject was thoughts
on the Christmas time, and whose discourse was a most eloquent one. At night every seat in the auditorium was taken when Rev. J.J. Toomey, director of St. Rachel’s cathedral,
Dubuque, delivered an eloquent sermon. Father Toomey drew lessons from the lives of Lazarus and the rich
man, and applied them to our every day life. His sermon was most impressive. It was
followed by the administration of the papal blessing by Father Murray, and by benediction of the blessed sacrament.
A special choir rendered music, and the altar was beautifully decorated. The Herald takes pleasure in presenting today a cut of the little old building which served as the church home of
the people of St. Patrick’s until it was razed to the ground a few months ago to give space to the noble edifice which
stands in this place; also of the pastor of the church, Rev. J.A. Murray, whose energies since his coming to Clinton sixteen
years ago have been directed to the accomplishment of the work which the year 1905 brought about for the people of his congregation;
and lastly, of the fine new church which was opened yesterday, and which has been described in these columns.
It was indeed a very merry Christmas for the people of Saint Patrick’s parish. The following guests were in attendance: Father Toomey, Dubuque. Father Comerford, Lyons. Father Maloney, Fulton. Father
Eardley, Sabula. Father Nelson, DeWitt. Father Riordan,
Grand Mound. Father Keasone, Mercy hospital. Father
Tritz, Lyons. Father Sullivan, Mount St. Clare. Father
Flynn, St. Mary’s. (With renderings of the old church and the
new church, rectory and pastor.) The Clinton Herald Monday March 18, 1935 p.
5 Dedication of the new organ, recently in St. Patrick’s church, was held Sunday when the Most Rev.
Henry P. Rohlman, bishop of Davenport, celebrated a pontifical high mass at 10:30 o’clock that morning.
Because of the illness of the Rt. Rev. W.P. Shannahan, of Davenport, the dedicatory sermon was delivered by the Rev.
Dr. Fenton, dean of the school of philosophy of St. Ambrose college, Davenport. He spoke on “St.
Patrick and His influence on Christianization of the World.” Officers of the mass were: Celebrant
– Bishop Rohlman. Arch-priest – The Rev. James Dunnion, Mercy hospital. Deacon
– The Rev. W.P. Cullinan, Oskaloosa. Sub-deacon – The Rev. Carl Clems, St. Mary’s parish.
Deacons of honor – The Rev. Edward Jackson, St. Irenaeus; the Rev. J.A. Clenn, Burlington. Master
of Ceremonies – The Rev. Leo Sterck, Davenport. Priests in the sanctuary included the Rt. Rev. T.F.
Galligan, V.F. St. Mary’s church; the Rev. R.P. Maher, chaplain of Mt. St. Clare college; the Rev. R.F. Trageser, Sacred
Heart church and the Rev. H.F. Finefield, pastor of St. Patrick’s. At the close of the service Bishop
Rohlman spoke briefly and congratulated St. Patrick’s parish upon its new organ and expressed gratitude to its donors
for their gift to the church. He stressed the religious character of the memorial to the late Mr. and Mrs.
M.J. Clarke and contrasted it to more material memorials. At 5 o’clock members of the parish gathered
in St. James hall for a covered dish supper which was largely attended. In the evening a recital on the
new organ was given with Erwin Swindell, of Davenport, as the artist. The senior and junior choirs of the
church assisted in the program and solos were sung by Mrs. Eileen Golden Mallary. The Rev. Father Glenn,
former pastor of the church, gave an interesting talk on the history of church music. The evening service
closed with solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Father Cullinan as celebrant. The Rev. Robert
Ormsby, of Preston, was deacon and Father Trageser was sub-deacon. All the services were largely attended.
(With photos and captions for Bishop Rohlman and Father Finefield)
The Clinton Morning News
Thursday December 30, 1886 p. 2 Dedication Last night, the social event of the season – the Wapsipinicon
reception, dedicating their new apartments in the Lamb block – was celebrated, and it was crowned with all the success
that was anticipated. On this ocasion, for the first time, the Lamb block echoed to the sound of happy
voices, gathered together for social enjoyment, and, the club rooms, of this popular society organization, were graced by
the wealth, culture and beauty of Clinton, reenforced by many from abroad. It was a genuine surprise, to those who had not before, inspected
the apartments of the club, to behold the perfect combination of beauty and convenience that tehy presented. The
gentelmen of luxurious tastes, who concieved, arranged and successfully carried out the details of furnishing, decorating
and draping the various rooms, can not be too highly comlimented, as, without sacrificing comfort or convenience to beauty
and artistic effect, they secured a happy blending of all, and, by their efforts, enable the Wapsipinicons to boast of having
the most attractive and well arranged suit of rooms of any social organization in the state. Entering the
rooms from the east, the visitor is received into a cosy reception room. At the right, or to the north,
is the card room, from which access is had to the gentlemen’s coat and toilet room. Further on, to
the north of the card room, are the elegant double parlors, devoted to the use of the ladies; and connected with these, is
the ladies’ dressing room. At the left of the reception room, or to the south, the reading room is
located, and east of this is the billiard room. The several apartments communicate by means of Queen Ann
arches, hung with Portieresin elegant design, the window draperies, the wall and ceiling decorations and the carpets being
in harmonizing colors. The furniture throughout is of unique and artistic design, and is well calculated
to give the place an air of elegance ease and comfort. Among the many beautiful furnishings that attract
special attention, we noticed a fine Ansonia clock, a gift to the club from the popular jewelry house of Howes’ Brothers;
also a beautiful chromolithograph, representing a cour scene during the time of Louis XV of France. This
work of art was presented by Mr. S..W. Gardner of Lyons and received much well merited praise. Miss Gerturde
W. Hart, presented the club with a lovely Satin hand-painted panel which gave additional beauty to the mantle upon which it
rested, and a beautiful boquet and holder, the gift of Mrs. Chancy Lamb, was a conspicuous ornament, that was greatly admired.
Members and guests began to arrive soon after 9 o’clock, and by 10:30, the rooms were well filled and every one
seemed bent on enjoyment. The Reception Committee, Maj. And Mrs. E.S. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Alden and Mr. and Mrs. L. Lamb, assisted by
many members of the club, exterted themselves to make the event a truly special one, and, that they succeeded no one will
deny. The billiard
room, furnished enjooyment to those of a scientific turn, while those who take pleasure in “triping the light fantastic
toe,” had ample opportunities for gratifying themselves, in the grand dancing hall, that is a part of the clubs apartments.
Their model room, for terpischorian amusements, it 54x65 feet; and, judging from the many who visited it last evening,
it was fully appreciated. The Union Orchestra, under the skillful leadership of Mr. Charles Rehwoldt, furnished
the music for the occasion. Among the guests from abroad were; Mrs. H.C. Boardman, Nevada, Iowa. Mr. McCoy, Morrison, Illinois. Mr. Ward Cook, Chicago. Mr. W. McLeland, Davenport. Miss Taylor, Moline. Mr. M. Eaton, Warsaw, Wis. Mr. James McCullouogh, Chicago. Mr. C.H. Wise, Lowerville, Ia. Mr. F.H. Haywood, Providence, R.I. Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Hancock and Miss Hancock, Dubuque. Mr. Chars. And Miss Mary Haas, Council Bluffs. Mr. Hart, New Bedford, Con. Mr. Flourney, Sioux City. Mr.John Cady, Moline. Mr. Howard, Chicago. Messrs. Viele, Minneapolis and Moline. Mrs. Chas. Deer and daughters,
Moline. Mr. and
Mrs. W. Scott, Chicago. Miss Taylor, Lafayette, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Hass, Council Bluffs. The Clinton Age Friday
December 31 1886 p 1 The ninth annual reception of the Wapsipinicon club The Lyons Weekly Mirror Saturday December 18, 1886 p. 4 Lamb Block The two
upper floors of the new Lamb Block, Clinton, are nearly completed, and will be occupied the first of January.
The second floor has been leased to the Wapsie Club, and will afford them elegant quarters. The
apartments comprise rooms for reading, billiards, smoking, ladies’ sitting and retiring rooms and afine dancing hall,
all beautifully finished, and so arranged that several of the rooms can be opened to form a grand apartment for social gatherings,
for which the Club has become famous. They will give their first receptions in the new apartments on the
29th of this month. The third floor of the building will be used by the various bodies of the Masonic
fraternity. One hall, with the necessary ante-rooms, will be the home of the Blue Lodges, while the adjoining
is a magnificant apartment for the use of the Chapter and Commander with armory, banquet hall and complete kitchen arrangements
conveniently adjoining. The building is pleasantly and centrally located and will be thouroughly enjoyed by its occupants. The Clinton Weekly News Friday November 26, 1886 p.
7 The building season now drawing to a close in this city, has been remarkable for the improvements inagurated
and being completed. There has been a great number of good substantial residences built in all parts of
the town and in business blocks, the season of 1886 will compare favorably with any in the history of the city.
The crowning effort among the latter is the Lamb block, corner of Fifth avenue and Thrid street, which is now rapidly
approaching completion, and iwll be ready for occupancy by the first of the new year. The block is one
that every Clintonian may well be proud of Mr. Chancy Lamb, who with his sons have done more to architecturally beautify the
city than any family within her borders. Their palatiol residences inspired others to emulate the worthy
examples in building elegant homes, and as a result Clinton can now boast of houses not surpassed by any city of like size
in the state. The
construction of the magnificent block that inspires this article was commenced about the middle of September, and the rapidity
with which the work has been carried on is creditable alike to its owner and the many bosses who had charge of the different
parts of the work. The block is one hundred feet front by one hundred and ten feed deep, three stories
high with slate roof and galvanized iron cornice, and has that substantial appearance that characterize all similar work caused
to be done by Mr. Lamb in mills, residences, business blocks, or on steamboats that have been erected or built here, and contributed
so much to the benefit and development of our city. Mr. J.L. Rice was the architect of the building and Mr. W.E. Young, superintended the work of construction, and for
a young man claiming no practical knowledge in duties of this character, has demonstrated a fitness for the responsible position
assigned him, that has surprised his friends and reflects credit on the manner in which he performed his onerous duties.
Mr. Wm. Black, the well-known carpenter and builder, had charge of the wood work. The old substantial
pioneer brick mason of the city, J.B. Johnson, superintended this part of the work, and anohter veteran in his trade, one
one of Clinton’s most reliabel and best citizens, Mr. Thomas Shafto, overlooked the work of plastering throughout the
entire structure. Thomas Purcell, another pioneer of the city, did the excavating and oversaw the stone
work, and Geo. Kendall & Co. has charge of the plumbing and gas fitting. George H. Parker, of Lyons,
did the cornice work, and putting the slate on the roof. C.E. Armstorng & Co. did the tin work.
It would be superflous to sat that each and all of the parties name performed their several parts of the work assigned
them in a very satisfactory and expeditious manner, and in after years, when the splendid structure is looked upon as one
of the many monuments to the enterprise of Mr. Chancy Lamb in Clinton the can point to it with pride and say “I helped
put up that block that rounds out the business buildings on Fifth avenue in such a splendid manner.” On the ground floor of the block is a double
store room 110x48, and two other rooms each 110x24, that are not surpassed by any store rooms in the city.
The second floor of the building, with the exception of two rooms for offices, will be occupied entirely by the Wapsiepinnicon
Boat Club and will furnish quarters for the club not excelled by those of any social organization in the Hawkeye State.
Every room is specially built for the purpose that it will be used, and the combination of them so conveniently and
pleasantly arranged will make a most attractive suite that connot fail to give eminent satisfaction and pleasure to those
who occupy them. There is a fine large reading room in the southwest corner, the finest in the city, with
fire place, mantle and double plate glass windows. East of it is the billiard room, reached through a large
double door. North you enter through a similar aperature the reception room and continue to the smoking
room, card room, ladies’ parlor, gents’ and ladies’ toilet rooms, and last but not least the large and spacious
dance hall, which is 65x48, ad will have a floor laid with the beautiful Southern yellow pine that is famous for finishing
lumber whereever used. The several rooms will, or course, be elegantly furnished and decorated in such
manner as will harmonize with the opportunities presented, and when done will furnish a home for the Wapsies that they need
not be ashaimed to invite their friends from any clime. The halls on this floor are wide, as is the stairway;
in fact nothing has been left undone in its arrangement that would add to completeness. Surmounting the luxurious rooms spoken of and reaching
the third floor, which is to be occupied entire by the Masonic fraternity of the city, we find the crowning efforts of the
work in the whole structure, and quarters so handsome, convenient and appropriate for the several bodies that
cannot fail to infuse new life and enthusiasm into the organizations that alone will compensate for the change to be made.
A nine-foot stairway leads up to the third floor, where you enter the large Masonic reception room, with plate glass
windows, sixteen-foot ceilings, fire place and a toilet room adjacent. Adjoining this is the Tyler’s
room, and from the latter you enter the Blue Lodge hall, the dimensions of which are 54x30, sixteen-foot ceilings, five singel
windows and three double, the latter of plate glass. This room is to be frescoed and otherwise elaborately
decorated and furnished, making it a Blue Lodge room that will reflect credit on the brethren of the mystic tie in this city.
Passing through a short hallway we enter the Knights Templar Asylum, which when completed and furnished will be grand.
It is 65x38, with twenty-foot ceiling, a stage in west and 14x38, a dome running to roof of building from center of
room that is to be finished in colored glass. Aside from this is a banquet hall 22x48. Am ar,pru 44x19,
a beautiful parlor for ladies, with toilet room adjoining, a kitchen and pantry and at the rear of building a private stariway
for entrance and exit to this temple that is arranged and to be used exclusively for the Masons. The finishing
and furnishing of these halls and rooms is now occupying the attention of gentlemen belonging to the order, who will spare
neither pains nor expense in doing it in a manner that will harmonize with the surrounding and reflect credit on the bodies
that will occupy them, and no one who knows the characteristics of the order in this direction will doubt for a moment but
that the work will be well done. The entire building will be heated with steam. Geo. Kendall & Co. are now putting in thirty
eight radiators for that purpose. It will be supplied with water and lighted with gas; in fact every modern
improvement will be placed therein to make the structure as comlete as possible. The plastering and plumbing
are about done, water pipes are being put in, and yesterday Superintendent Young was causing the debris to be removed preparatory
to laying a wide plank sidewalk in front of the block. The trees along the avenue have been trimmed up
and on the advent of the new year wat was a vacent lot last spring will be finished one of the finest business block in the
city, bearing the name “Lamb’s Block, 1886,” in bold letters on its prominant and attractive front. The Clinton Morning News Sunday December 19,
1886 p. 2 It is always a pleasure for a newspaper to bring into public notice anything that tends to show
to the outside world the confidence the citizens have in the future destiny of their own city. Citizens
who have watched the onward marchof a city, as it were, from its infancy, do more to impress strangers with its greatness
by investing their money in business of buildings than most people realize. The Lamb block, a magnificent
monument, proclaiming that Chancy Lamb believes the future of Clinton to be firmly fixed among the great cities of the Mississippi
Valley, is a fitting example; but, standing with him, side by side, is Somon Schoecraft, who, with his 20,000 dollar companion
building, commenced at the same time, and built after the same style of architecture, is another citizen worthy of public
commedation. This building, built under the watchful supervision of Mr. Joseph Adler, who has had full
charge of every detail, is a credit to his ability as a manager, and Mr. Shoecraft can congratulate himself on having the
best and most substantially built structure in Clinton, if not in the state. The walls of brick, resting upono massive stone foundations, tower up three stories
iin height, and are surmounted by a truss roof covered with slate, the cornice being of galvanized iron in tasty design.
But, it the exterior of the building is attractive, the interior will be more so, as it is being expressly fitted for
the hardware trade, having been rented by C.E. Armstrong & Co. for that purpose for a period of years. The
frontage of the building being double, it give on each of its three floors, a large and commodious store room 50x100 feet.
On the first floor will be the retail department and general business office. This floor is being
finished in oak with drawers and shelving from floor to ceiling,a nd in connection with the office a vault has been constructed
that will render the firm’s books, papers and money secure from fire as well as thieves. On the second floor will be a part of the
wholesale goods, the buyers’ office, a large and convenient tin shop also toilet rooms and wash basin, constructed upon
the latest and most improved plans. The third floor will be devoted entirely to wholesale goods. All floors, in addition to
the windows, are lighted by a sky-light, extending from the first floor to the roof. In addition to a stairway,
each floor will have the service of a J.W. Reedy elevator, run by a water motor having a lifting capacity of 1500 pounds.
The entire building is headed by steam, and will be lighted with the electric light. An unusual
feature in this building is that no plastering has been done, but instead, the walls and ceilings have been ceiled and painted,
as they will be. The utility of the finish will be unquestioned. Operations on the job were commenced Sept. 6th;
the brick work was finished Nov. 1st, and as soon as the plate glass arrives for the front, the work will be rapidly
pushed to a completion, and when completed, the citizens of Clinton, as well as the owner, can point with pride to this evidence
of business prosperity and confidence. Below are the names of individuals and firms who had charge of the special work indicated. J.L Rice, architect. Joseph Adler, superintendent and master carpenter. Hadlow & Harding, brick
work. Thos. Purcell,
stone work. Meamer
& Co., Cedar Rapids, plumbing Brown & Taubman, Boston, steam fitting.
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